Loading...
12-14-98 PC Agenda AGENDA GOLDEN VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSION Regul~r Meeting - Council Ch~mbers Golden Valley City Hall, 7800 Golden Valley Road Monday, December 14, 1998 7pm I. Approval of Minutes - November 9, 1998 II. Informal Public Hearing -Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map - Amendment Address: Request: 800 Turners Crossroad,. Golden Valley, Minnesota AOlendtheplan map from Lightlndustrial to BUSiness and Professional Office III. Infol"mal PublicHearing-Re~oning Applicant: Address: Request: United Prop~rtles and the Golden Valley Housing .andRedeveloprnent Authority (HRA) 800 Turners Crossroad, Golden Valley, Minnesota Rezone the subject property from Light Industrial to. Business and Professional.Office IV. Informal Public Hearing - Preliminary Design Plan Review - Golden Hills Office Center, P.U.D. No. 81 Applicant: Address: Request: United Properties 800 Turners Crossroad, Golden Valley, Minnesota Review of the Preliminary DeSign Plan for the Golden Hills Office Center, P.U.D. No. 81. The applicant is proposing to construct a six-story office building. V. Informal Public Hearing - Review of an Amendment to the PreliminaryD.esign Plan _ Room and Board, P.U.D. No. 79 Applicant: Address: Request: Room and Board Properties 6800 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, Minnesota Review of the amended Preliminary Design Plan for Room and Board, P.U.D. No. 79 - Amendment would allow for the construction of office space between the buildings located at 4600 and 46500ls0h Memorial Highway and additional warehouse space behind the building located at 4650 Olson Memorial Highway. VI. Reports on Meetings of. the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City Council and Board of Zoning Appeals VII. Other Business VIII. Adjournment Planning Corn mission Guidelines for Public Input The Plannil1g ComlTlissi.on is an advisory bO~y, createc;l to advise the City Council on land use. The Commission will recolTllTlendCouncilt:ipproval or. denial ofaJand use proposal based upon the Commission's determination .of Whether the proposedu!>ei.sperlTlitted under the ZonirigCode and the Comprehensive Plan, and whether the proposed use will, or will not, adversely affect the surrounding neighborhood. The Commissi.on hold~jnformal public hearings on land use proposals to enable you to learn, first-hand, what such proposals are,andto permit you to. ask ques~jonsal'ldo.ffer comments. Your questiClns and comments become part of the record and will beusec;l by the Council,slong with the Commission's recommendation,in rel!chingit~ decision. With thecolTlpletionofthe informal public hearing(s) there will. be a short recess before the Commission continues with the remainder of the agenc;la. To aid in. your understanding and to facilitate your comments and questions, the Commission will utilize the following procedure: 1. The Commission Chair will introduce the proposal and the recommendation from staff. Commission melTlbers may ask questions of staff. 2. The applicant will describe the proposal and answer any questions from the Commission. 3. The Chair will open the public hearing, asking first for those who wish to speak to so indicate by raising their hands. The Chair may set a time IilTlit for individual questions/comments if a large number .of persons have indicated a desire to speak. SpOkespersons for groups will have a longer period of time for qUestions/comments. 4. Please give your full name and address clearly when recognized by the Chair. Remember, your questions/ comments are for the record. 5. Direct your questions/comments to the Chair. The Chair will determine who will answer your questions. 6. No one will be given the opportunity to speak a second time until everyone has had the opportunity to speak initially. Please limit your second presentation to new information, not rebuttal. 7. At the close of the public hearing, the Commission will discuss the proposal and take appropriate action. . . . Regular Meeting of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9,1998 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, November 9, 1998. The meeting was called to order by Chair Pentel at 7: 1 Opm. Those present were Chair Pentel and Commissioners Groger, Johnson, Kapsner, Martens, McAleese and Shaffer. Also present were Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development, Beth Knoblauch, City Planner, Don Taylor, Finance Director and Tammi Hall, Recording Secretary. I. Approval of Minutes - October 26. 1998 MOVED by Groger, seconded by Shaffer and motion carried unanimously to approve the October 26, 1998 minutes as submitted. II. Informal Public Hearina - Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map - Amendment Address: Proposed property bounded by ponding and wetland to the west, the railroad tracks to the north, Olson Memorial Highway to the south, and Ottawa Avenue to the east, excluding the Golden Valley Inn site Purpose: To amend portions of the plan map from Public and Semi-Public _ . Municipal - Parks, Natural Areas and Commercial to Public and Semi-Public - Municipal - Parks, Natural Areas and Commercial . City Planner, Beth Knoblauch, explained the request to change the designation on three areas of land in the Schaper area and adjacent land that once held the old White House restaurant. She stated that the Commission would not be addressing any redevelopment proposal for this area. The neighbors in the surrounding area have met with developer Frank Dunbar regarding a proposal for redevelopment of the former White House restaurant site. Mr. Dunbar plans to bring his proposal to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to request designated developer status. Knoblauch stated that the issue to be addressed by the Commission is essentially a housekeeping matter. The City attempted to change the designation on these areas a few years ago but was stalled due to a lawsuit in process. Since that time no re- designation has been pursued since there was no redevelopment proposed for the site. Knoblauch explained that the site initially consisted of two properties, the former White House restaurant and the City-owned land generally referred to as the Schaper area. The construction of a new, detached frontage road segment a few years ago resulted in splitting off small areas of land from each of the two properties. Knoblauch explained that they are requesting that the small piece of property at the north end of the former White House site (Area A), which is cut off from the rest of the property by.the frontage road, be re-designated as "Municipal" and be combined with the Schaper area. The portion of property which was part of the Schaper area (Area B), but was cut off from the rest of the Schaper area by the frontage road, would be combined with the property which was the former White House restaurant site and re-designated from "Industrial" to "Commercial" use. One of the three parcels that make up the Schaper area was designated "Industrial" prior to the time the city received the property. This designation should be changed to "Municipal". Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 2 Pentel asked Knoblauch about the size of the Area C parcel and if there was any option for it to be developed. Knoblauch responded that Area C would be platted as an outlot which will be an indication it is not developable. Pentel commented that the memorandum states there is no intention to develop City-owned land. She stated this was somewhat misleading sin.ce the City owns Area B and the former White House restaurant site. Knoblauch responded that the former White House restaurant site went tax forfeit a few years ago and has now been acquired by the HRA for redevelopment. Pentel questioned if Area B, which is being re- designated as "Commercial", is the most polluted portion of the property. Knoblauch indicated she did not know, but noted that the entire area, including the former White House restaurant site, the road and a portion of the Schaper area, is designated as a superfund site. Pentel questioned if the City had considered other options for Area B, such as a park use. Knoblauch stated the exchange of land became necessary because of the land lost from the former White House restaurant site as a result of construction of the frontage road. She stated the amendment would basically add Area B to the former White House site and remove Area A. By doing this the boundaries of both properties, the former White House restaurant site and the Schaper area, would follow the road. Director of Planning and Development, Mark Grimes stated the former White House site has always been designated "Commercial". Knoblauch indicated the City is not considering any use other than "Commercial" for the former White House restaurant site at the present time. The purpose of this request is to adjust the property boundaries to make sense with the road. . Commissioner Groger commented that it was a controversial decision when the ball fields were placed in this area. One of the issues involved was that the Schaper area, Which had been . donated to the City, was to remain a natural area. He asked Knoblauch to outline the portion of the property that was originally donated to the City. Knoblauch indicated the original Schaper property was north of the Golden Valley Inn and west of Ottawa to the point where there is a jog on the northern boundary shown on the location map. The original property that was donated is slightly more than one-third of the entire area. Groger stated that Area B was not included in the original Schaper property. He questioned who owns Area B. Knoblauch stated that the original Schaper property was donated to the City and that the other parcels were purchased by the City. . . Commissioner McAleese asked what area may potentially be developed. Knoblauch stated that Mr. Dunbar has an option for the development of the Golden Valley Inn site. His proposal would be to purchase the Golden Valley Inn site as well as the former White House restaurant site, including Area B. The property to be developed would be bordered on the north and west by Schaper Road, on the east by Ottawa Avenue and on the south by Highway 55. Grimes indicated that Dunbar plans to come to the HRA meeting to request designation as the developer for a project that would include the Golden Valley Inn site and the former White House Restaurant site. Pentel indicated she had attended the neighborhood meeting with Dunbar where he proposed a 75,000 square foot office building which would be occupied by KQRS on the first two floors, requiring a two hundred foot tower. Commissioner Shaffer asked if the City would be losing some land to the county or the state on the southern boundary of the property where it jogs around Hwy 55. Knoblauch stated she could not recall, but that it would appear on the preliminary plat to be addressed later in the meeting. She stated the City had requested possession of the vacated frontage road but the state had declined. She indicated the state Probably wished to retain the property for Possible future expansion of Hwy . 55. . . . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 3 Chair Pentel opened the infonnal public hearing; hearing and seeing no one; Pentel closed the informal pUblic hearing. Commissioner Johnson stated she was in favor of this proposal as presented by Knoblauch. Groger indicated he was also in favor of the proposal regardless of future development plans for the Golden Valley Inn site. He stated the existing L-shaped lot would be difficult to develop. Pentel indicated she would prefer to see the site used for other pUblic or park activities. MOVED by Kapsner, seconded by McAleese and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council approval of the Comprehensive Land Use Plan Map Amendment as requested. 11/. Informal Public Hearina - Rezoning Applicant: City of Golden Valley and the Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority Address: Proposed property bounded by ponding and wetland to the west, the railroad tracks to the north, Olson Memorial Highway to the south, and Ottawa Avenue to the east, excluding the Golden Valley Inn site. PUrpose: Rezone portions of the property from Ins.titutional (1-4) to Commercial and Commercial to Institutional (1-4). Pentel questioned when the zoning map was amended to show all City owned land as Institutional 1-4. Knoblauch stated she was not certain when this specific property was designated Institutional 1-4, but that the Institutional district as a Whole was added as a zoning category in the 1950s. In the 1960s, it was divided into the five subcategories that exist tOday. Knoblauch explained the request is to adjust the zoning map so the two zoning classifications follow the new road alignment. The zoning for the third parcel of the Schaper area was already changed to Institutional 1-4 so Area C will not be affected. The request is to change Area A from Commercial to Institutional 1-4 and Area B from Institutional 1-4 to Commercial. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing; hearing and seeing no one; Pentel closed the informal public hearing. MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Johnson and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council approval of the proposed rezoning to change the small area north of Schaper Road from Commercial to Institutional 1-4 and the small area south of Schaper Road from Institutional 1-4 to Commercial. IV. Informal Public Hearina - Subdivision Applicant: City of Golden Valley and the Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 4 Purpose: Proposed property bounded by ponding and wetland to the west, the railroad tracks to the north, Olson Memorial Highway to the south, and Ottawa Avenue to the east, excluding the Golden Valley Inn site. To combine portions of the proposed properties and then subdivide them into two lots. . Address: Knoblauch explained that the plat map identifies the frontage road as the Schaper Road. She indicated the Commission could register an opinion on the name of the road. Commissioner Martens asked where the name of the frontage road would be formalized. Knoblauch indicated that the plat map would formalize the name of the frontage road. Pentel indicated that once it is platted a formal process would be required to change the name. Commissioner Kapsner stated that it seems appropriate the road be named after the Schapers since they donated this property to the city. Pentel agreed, adding that Schaper Road makes sense since the area is identified as Schaper field or park. Grimes stated that he hopes that at some point MnDOT would allow minimal directional signage along Highway 55. Knoblauch indicated this limitation by MnDOT is due to the fact that Hwy. 55 is not completely closed access. Pentel questioned why the plat makes reference to other plats, and suggested it would be less confusing to include everything on this plat. Knoblauch stated they prefer not to have everything on the same plat because it generally becomes illegible. Pentel referred to Item H under Subdivision Design Features in the memorandum from Knoblauch and questioned why it says there is no intention to develop the City-owned land. She stated we should be very clear about what portions exactly are City-owned land. Knoblauch responded that the City-owned land is the portion of the property which is to the north and west of Schaper Road and Area C, which would be platted as an outlot. . Pentel also questioned Item B under Subdivision Design Features on the memorandum that states that for the City-owned property, a drainage and utility easement is shown across the entire site. She stated the plat map shows City-owned drainage easements on much of Area B and on part of the former White House restaurant site. She asked Knoblauch to clarify where the City drainage easements are located. Knoblauch stated there are some additional easements that may have to remain, but it is not unusual that it is not yet known which easements will need to remain at this preliminary stage. Pentel questioned if the White House site is developable even though it shows city drainage easements over it. Knoblauch responded that it is a developable site and the City will simply relocate things or remove the drainage easement if it is not being used. Martens questioned if utility and drainage easements would normally be shown along the perimeter boundary of the plat. Knoblauch responded that the plat shows the standard easements. But the plat will also show anything that is currently in place unless the surveyor is directed to remove it. She indicated, at this point, where other easements are shown on the plat, that still need to be addressed. Martens questioned why there appears to be utility and drainage easements across the entire property. Knoblauch responded that this is in the City-owned land north and west of Schaper Road which was all previously platted and will not be changed. Martens questioned why the property was being platted at this point when it could be combined with the Golden Valley Inn and done in one plat at the time it is redeveloped. Knoblauch stated that the re-platting is . necessary due to the separation caused by the new road which makes it the responsibility of the City and not the developer. Pentel asked if it would need to be platted again when it is . . . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 5 developed. Knoblauch responded that it would have to be platted again if the redevelopment involves the Golden Valley Inn property. Martens asked if Area C, which is being platted as an outlot, contains any utility easements. Knoblauch responded that this was part of the originally platted area so it would be a blanket easements. Martens commented that it would seem appropriate to make this clear on the plat. Knoblauch responded that she would bring 'this to the attention of the city engineering department and surveyor. Groger commented that the plat does show the 16-foot jog along the south side of the former White House restaurant site. He questioned if it is a concern that at some point the city would lose this portion of the property to the county or the state. Knoblauch responded that the city has not yet received MnDOT's response to the plat. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing; hearing and seeing no one, Pentel closed the informal public hearing. MOVED by McAleese, seconded by Groger and motion carried unanimously to recommend to the City Council approval of the proposed subdivision of the Schaper Addition as requested, V. Informal Public Hearing - Review of Draft Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan including the Draft Tax Increment Financing Plan Knoblauch explained that Golden Hills is one of three redevelopment areas in Golden Valley. All three areas use Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF areas are governed by state law so redevelopment plans must be in accordance with relevant state law as well as the City's Comprehensive Plan. Knoblauch stated that the Golden Hills Redevelopment area is approximately 130 acres. The original Golden Hills Redevelopment area contained four sub- areas: the west area (west of the railroad tracks), the central area (between the railroad tracks and Turners Crossroads, the east area (east of Turners Crossroads) and the south 'area. This would be the first amendment to the original redevelopment plan that was written in 1984. This amendment would expand the redevelopment area boundaries to include the Xenia Avenue Extension as a new sub-area. Knoblauch explained that the current TIF district contains the west, central and east portions of the redevelopment area. The south area is part of the redevelopment area but not part of the TIF district. The laws regarding TIF allow city HRAs to capture taxes generated by improvements within the TIF district and use these funds for additional improvements in a designated redevelopment area. The designated redevelopment area is often larger than the TIF district. " Pentel questioned why it is necessary to sell bonds if the redevelopment is to be funded by the TIF district taxes. Knoblauch responded that the bond front-ends the improvements and the bonds are then retired using the TIF funds. She stated that the redevelopment plan is being amended to add the Xenia Avenue Extension as a sub-area.' It would not be part of the TIF district but would be designated as part of the redevelopment area. In regard to the Xenia Avenue Extension area, the proposed amendment contains no changes in the land use designations and the City is not planning redevelopment of the property except properties that would be part of public improvements. She explained that these would be the Xenia Avenue Extension, a potential storm water detention pond, possible changes in the access to and from Turners Crossroads and possible sale of excess land to the school district for Meadowbrook School. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 6 Pentel commented that most of the objectives remained the same in the amended plan as they. had been stated in the original plan except for the first objective which has been changed to more generally encompass the area along 1-394 and the intersection with Turners Crossroads. She commented that she felt the objectives should include reference to the north/south access and the safety issues since these have been discussed as major reasons for the proj'~ct. She added that the list of Current Plan Components does not mention the formation of the Xenia Avenue Extension Advisory Committee. She also commented that the Action Plan neglects to mention the pedestrian overpass to the school or the safety issue. Knoblauch responded that the safety issue is addressed in the first bullet under Circulation on page 7. She stated that if the Commission felt more objectives should be added, those revisions could be part of their recommendation. Pentel referred to the central area and questioned if it is necessary to use TIF to redevelop these areas since it is described as an attractive location. Knoblauch responded that it is an attractive location, but that there are definite problems with the properties such as pollution, title problems and a raft of MnDOT turnbacks. She added that these are the types of problems that developers generally do not want to spend money to clean up even if the location is attractive. Martens stated there is a gap between market value of the land and the cost to acquire the land in its presented form and get it ready for the market. He stated that, theoretically, TIF funds are to be used to fill that gap. He stated that these are true redevelopment sites. The goal of the City should be to sell them for market value. Grimes explained that, historically, the City has purchased properties and done environmental clean-up, which would not be done if the City was not involved. In this type of situation, the City generally would have to spend double or triple the market value of the property to purchase the property and get it ready for development. Kapsner commented that what is being proposed is expansion of the expenditure area for the TIF District. Knoblauch responded that we are not expanding the TIF District but we are expanding the redevelopment area where the TIF proceeds can be spent. Kapsner asked what would happen to the money that will be spent in the proposed expansion area if the redevelopment area was not expanded. Pentel responded that she believes the district would achieve parity sooner and the taxes would go back to the school districts. Martens stated that we are expanding the redevelopment area but we can not add to the TIF district. Knoblauch responded that she did not know that we could not add to the TIF district, but expansion of the TIF district is not being proposed. Martens questioned if the city would be in a better financial position if the TIF district was expanded and requested City Finance Director, Don Taylor, address this issue in his presentation. . Knoblauch continued summarizing the changes proposed in the amended plan for the four sub-areas that are already part of the redevelopment. She stated that HRA involvement is almost complete in the west area. The necessary land has been acquired and the developer expects to have both sites under construction in the spring. This amendment brings the plan up to date with regard to the west area. Most of the proposed changes involve the central area. The original plan from 1984 indicated that the HRA would not be involved in the northeast quadrant. This area is now a redevelopment site with United Properties as the developer. Redevelopment would most likely occur in this area eventually but will proceed more quickly with the assistance of the HRA. . . . . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 7 Pentel stated that the old plan included height restrictions of 4 to 6 stories in the area across from the Colonnade to the west of Xenia, and that this restriction has been deleted in the revised plan. Knoblauch responded that the new plan replaced the height restriction with a square footage limitation. She stated. that a height limit could be added if the Commission feels it should be included. Pentel responded that the original plan w~s the result of long term planning and consideration of many factors. She stated the height restrictions were included for a purpose and should not be removed. Martens stated he would have some concerns regarding setting height restrictions at this point. He added that the individual projects will be coming before the Commission and to restrict height to a specific number of stories for all development at this point may not be appropriate. Pentel questioned if the City should encourage higher density development and the additional traffic it would generate in this area. Knoblauch responded that the plan still includes a general goal of locating higher density development adjacent to 1-394 and lower density development away from 1-394, but she added that it would not be a problem to revise the plan to include the height restriction. Knoblauch stated that the other major change in the central area is in regard to the southwest quadrant. Only a portion of this area was identified as a redevelopment site in the original plan. Since that time, MnDOT pushed the frontage road farther north and acquired the property. The residual of the parcel is not developable on its own but is too big to leave undeveloped. The amendment would expand the redevelopment site to include the entire block. The only substantial change in the east area is that the previous plan considered the apartment buildings as property to be acquired. Knoblauch indicated that, at this time, the City does not believe that will happen. T.he City will be considering proposals to improve the shopping center. Pentel referred to page 14 that mentions alternatives for the existing apartment site. Knoblauch responded that the City assumes this property will be redeveloped in the future even without the involvement of the HRA. Pentel asked if there was any information available on the affordability of the apartments. Grimes responded that the City has a list of all apartment buildings but not information on the rental rates. Knoblauch stated that the only change in the south area is the addition of potential annexation and detachment of this area to the City of St. Louis Park. She explained Duke who also owns an adjacent site that is much larger and is located in St. Louis Park owns the entire south area. Duke plans to redevelop the entire property, and since it would be one redevelopment area, it would be beneficial if it was not located in two different jurisdictions. . . Martens asked which sites would be potential hotel uses. Knoblauch responded that the service use designation refers to hotels and restaurants. She added that there had been discussion regarding more specific use designations in the plan but that it is sometimes detrimental to be too specific. Martens questioned if the City views hotels differently than other service uses. Knoblauch responded that each proposal would be evaluated individually. Martens questioned if it would be the same in the Comprehensive Plan. Knoblauch responded that this is an issue that is currently under discussion. Grimes stated that there has been hotel interest in each of the areas and that there is currently a hotel in the west area. Martens commented that he felt the hotel interest should be considered with some priority in the interest of obtaining the right mix for the area. Knoblauch stated that one site has been specifically reserved for a hotel. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 8 Shaffer stated that the Xenia Avenue Extension area is outlined on the map and questioned if these are the definite boundaries for redevelopment in the area. He asked if the plan would have to be amended again in the future if the redevelopment includes pedestrian bridges that go outside the area shown on the map. Knoblauch responded that the area outlined on the map includes improvements that may occur across the street, such as a pedestrian overpass. She added that the consultants on the project have recommended the city compile a list of parcel identification numbers of property in the redevelopment area. Pentel commented there appeared to be no legal description for the Xenia Avenue Extension area. Shaffer questioned if the listing of parcel identification numbers would serve as the legal description. Knoblauch responded the City has been compiling this list and it would be filed with the proposed amended document. She said they may create two categories of properties, those within the limits of the redevelopment area and those that may be affected by the redevelopment. . City Finance Director, Don Taylor, explained that the City is not recommending expansion of the current TIF district but requesting amendment of the TIF plan to provide additional expenditure and bonding authority for the Xenia Avenue Extension project and the United Properties project on the Robert Hamilton site, and for the Duke project which is currently in negotiations. Taylor covered some of the highlights of the amended plan. He referred to page 6-2 reviewing the amended budget as adopted September 1, 1998. He explained the Xenia A venue Extension project has not yet been designed so the budget is the best estimate that could be compiled at this time. Taylor explained that the southwest project budget is also an estimate since there is not yet a development agreement with Duke, the potential developer. The northwest project contains the printing company and at this point is not generating enough increment to proceed with redevelopment. The northeast project has a development agreement in place with United Properties. The total amended budget for the redevelopment would be slightly over $58 million. Taylor indicated we are currently at about $26 million in expenditures to-date in the Golden Hills Redevelopment Area. He explained that the TIF plan also sets a limit on the amount of bonds that can be sold. He reviewed page 7-1 which detailed the amount of bonds the City will have the authority to sell when this plan is approved. He stated that the amended plan would authorize the City to sell approximately $46 million in tax increment bonds to finance the redevelopment projects. . Pentel questioned how the City determines when to close these districts. Taylor responded that HRAs and cities carefully monitor the districts to ensure they are closed when assets are equal to bonds and no other projects are anticipated. . . Martens questioned if the money could be spent outside the TIF district. Taylor responded that the money can be spent outside the TIF district in the designated redevelopment area. He added that in the past there was a limited percentage that could be spent outside the TIF district, but this limitation has been removed. Currently, the amount of TIF that can be spent outside the district in the redevelopment area is unlimited. However, it must be spent in the designated redevelopment area, it cannot be spent in other redevelopment areas. Taylor responded to a question that had previously been raised as to whether the plan could have been amended to expand the TIF district. He stated that the TIF district could be expanded but, in this case, the redevelopment could be financed without expansion of the district and the City prefers not to expand the TIF district if it is not necessary. Taylor explained that the City must also show the state that sufficient increment will be generated to payoff the bonds. He . referred the Commission to Exhibit 4 and reviewed the existing tax increment being generated, . . . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 9 future tax increment to be generated, MEPC increment, interest, debt service on bonds, old and new bonds which the city is authorized to issue. The final analysis shows a cash balance of over $5 million. Pentel asked if the district could be closed earlier. Taylor responded that would be a possibility, but reminded the Commission that these are only projections. '. Pentel asked why there was no assumption report for the Xenia Avenue Extension area. Taylor responded there was no assumption report because there is no development there. Martens asked what the land sale assumptions per square foot were for the MEPC and United Properties projects. Taylor responded they were $5 per square foot for the United Properties project. Taylor indicated he could not answer this question for the southwest area since the development agreement with Duke is currently in negotiations. Martens asked if the City enters into minimum assessment agreements for these projects and are they value agreements or taxes payable per building or per square foot. Taylor responded that development agreements include minimum assessment agreements. These agreements set a minimum value on which the developer must pay taxes regardless of whether the development occurs. Taylor stated that most of the City's assessment agreements are based on minimum value. Martens questioned if the other method is better in terms of protecting the City from changes in tax rates. Taylor responded that the City has done it both ways. He commented that the value approach can be slightly more risky. He added that the agreement with United Properties is a guarantee of taxes rather than value. Groger commented the issuance of the bonds would be on a fairly short time frame. He questioned what would happen if the Xenia A venue Extension is not possible or if development on the southwest site falls through. He asked if the City delays issuing bonds until a firm development agreement is in place. Taylor responded that by law, tax increment bonds cannot be sold unless there is a completed development agreement. Taylor indicated that bonds could not be issued for the Xenia Avenue Extension only. The increment from the Duke and United Properties redevelopment is needed to complete the Xenia Avenue Extension project. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing. . Peter Knaeble, 6001 Glenwood Avenue, indicated he had several concems with the amendment. He referred to page 5 and the objective of improving north/south access into Golden Hills. He questioned why there was a need for improved access from a commercial area to a residential area to the north. It was his understanding that the redevelopment would take place regardless of the access. Knaeble referred to page 6 and the absence .of the mention of any trade off for the additional traffic that would be generated. He commented that if these developments did not occur then the extension of Xenia Avenue would not be needed. He then referred to page 7, the second bullet from the top, which addresses the issue of placing higher density development directly adjacent to 1-394. He stated this seems to be in direct conflict with the United Properties development which calls for a 180,000 sq. ft., six-story office building with 815 parking spaces and is located right next to the residential area. He referred to the same issue on page 14. Also on page 14, he referred to the statement that the Olympic Printing site was not feasible to develop. He questioned how this site was different from the United Properties site and why it was considered not feasible to develop. He Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 10 commented that the plan talks about maximizing site density without compromising green space. He indicated that a considerable amount of green space would be lost on the United Properties site. Knaeble referred to page 19 that states the street extension would alleviate a hazardous intersection. He stated it should be clear that the hazardous intersection would not be alleviated, it would merely be relocated from Glenwood and Turners Crossroads to . Glenwood and Xenia. He also addressed the reference to the extension improving the poorly defined route from the commercial area into the residential area to the north. He stated that the poorly defined route is beneficial to the residential area to separate it from the intense commercial area. Knaeble then referred to page 20, Exhibit G. Referring to the Xenia Avenue Extension area, he stated that no area is designated as reconstruction and that areas should be redefined to include pedestrian bridges, sidewalks and trails. Knaeble's final question was in regard to the date of December 1, 1998 on the proposed amended plan. He questioned when the plan was actually prepared. He added that at the City Council meeting on October 20, the estimated budget for the Xenia Avenue Extension project was $4-$5 million and the budget in the proposed amended plan is $8 million. He asked if the budget included in the proposed amendment was provided to the City Councilor the Planning Commission at the time the project was approved. Pentel stated that the Planning Commission was not aware of any budget at its last meeting when they recommended approval to the City Council. The Commission asked Taylor to respond to the question raised regarding whether the redevelopment could proceed without the Xenia Avenue Extension project. Taylor stated that it was the desire of the HRA to provide an overall plan for traffic due to the redevelopment. The redevelopment could be completed without the extension of Xenia A venue but it would be difficult for traffic on Turners Crossroads. Pentel asked about the plan for the Roberts Hamilton site, specifically the number of stories proposed and the green space projections. Knoblauch responded that they are proposing a six-story building and that the site plan includes more green space than is required by city code. Pentel asked if it was in keeping with the intent of the original plan to locate a six-story building this far off 1-394. Knoblauch responded that she felt the original intent was to have a stepping down as you moved away from 1-394. She stated the Colonnade is a 15-story building, so it seemed to be in keeping with the stepping down philosophy of the original plan to develop a six-story building in this location. Grimes stated that when the Xenia A venue Extension is complete there will be a substantial reduction in traffic on Turners Crossroads which will be a benefit to the neighborhood that is east of Turners Crossroads. Pentel asked if Turners Crossroads will be reconstructed. Knoblauch responded there are several different concepts currently under discussion. Pentel questioned what the cost would be for reconstructing Turners Crossroads and how the City proposed to cover that cost. Taylor responded that the budget proposed for the Xenia Avenue Extension includes funds for reconstruction of Turners Crossroads. He added this was why the budget had been increased from earlier projections. . . Pentel asked when this document was presented to the HRA. Taylor responded the document was reviewed by the HRA at their September meeting. Pentel asked why the Planning Commission did not receive the proposed budget at their last meeting. Taylor responded that . the numbers, at that time, were very preliminary and he did not feel confident to present them to the Planning Commission until firmer estimates were available. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 11 . Linda Loomis, 6677 Olson Memorial Highway, asked the Commission to reconsider the amendment to the transportation element of the comprehensive plan. In reading the minutes from the last meeting, she felt the Commission had addressed some legitimate concems. She expressed concem regarding the demolition of affordable housing. The minutes state'd that Tumers Crossroads could not be expanded due to minimum setbacks for the Fire Station and the Church. She stated that the Xenia Avenue Extension will eliminate the minimum setback for an apartment building that she felt should be given the same priority as the Fire Station and the Church since it is living space. She expressed concem regarding the proposed width of the road. She questioned if the cost of pedestrian bridges and sidewalks are included in the budget. She asked if there had been any input from the citizens of Golden Valley to determine if they were willing to trade tax dollars for increased traffic. She also stated that there have been no good projections given regarding the actual increased traffic to be generated by the redevelopment and the extension. Pentel asked if the Xenia Avenue Extension has been engineered. Grimes responded that the road has not yet been designed and that the width of the road has not been determined. The Council has created the Advisory Committee to review issues such as road width. . Pentel asked about the funding for sidewalks outside the redevelopment area. Taylor responded that he had included estimates for these costs in the Xenia A venue Extension budget. He added that TIF rules state that an improvement that is outside the redevelopment area but is directly related to the project is considered part of the redevelopment. In regard to input from the public conceming the redevelopment, Pentel suggested the Commission discuss this issue after the public hearing was closed. Amy Rosen, 205 Idaho Avenue North, stated that the Xenia Avenue Extension is a large project. It is a 38-acre parcel and represents roughly one third of the total redevelopment area. She indicated that currently there has been cooperation between the commercial area and the residential area to enable them to comfortably coexist-exist. With the Xenia A venue Extension the City is moving north into the residential area. She stated that traffic is a tremendous issue in this area and there has not been adequate discussion about the increase in traffic. She said that at the City Council meeting the estimated numbers for increased traffic were provided by the engineering firm that has a vested interest in seeing this project proceed. She suggested that moving the intersection allows vehicles to gain speed in ~his area increasing the safety problem. .. Chair Pentel closed the public hearing. Kapsner commented that he feels the city has not been strong enough in bringing forward the point that this road is not being built because of the redevelopment. The road would need to be built even if there was no redevelopment. It will improve traffic flow that has been a problem since Tumers was cut off from access to 1394. Pentel asked how the city would pay for the road if there was no redevelopment. Shaffer stated that the road needs to be changed and that the changes are being paid for by the redevelopment. Groger commented that the TIF district,is long standing. He added that this area is ripe for redevelopment. The primary reason for redevelopment is not to bring in new tax dollars but to . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 12 redevelop an area that has undergone substantial change due to the construction of 1394. He believes it to be beneficial if the money from the redevelopment can be used to finance other necessary projects. Groger indicated that he supports the general concept and that the details regarding the Xenia A venue Extension will need to be worked out in the design phase. . : Martens commented that he was still concerned with the Xenia Avenue Extension and that he was not fully convinced it will be the best solution. He added he was in favor of the general redevelopment of the area. Shaffer stated that with the redevelopment, changes in the road will be needed to allow traffic to flow properly in the area. He stated he was unsure if the Xenia Avenue Extension is the best solution, but it will be the task of the Advisory Committee to resolve that issue. He stated he would be in favor of the overall plan for redevelopment. Johnson stated the Xenia Avenue Extension is one part of this whole redevelopment plan. It will be the responsibility of the Advisory Committee to study all the issues that have been raised. She added that one of the individuals from the audience will serve on the Advisory Committee. She believes that with the diverse group of people appointed to the committee, they will be able to reach a solution. She would be in favor of recommending approval of the amended redevelopment plan. McAleese stated that the proposed amendment makes some minor changes to an old plan document, but that the Xenia Avenue Extension is a major change. He said there is a . fundamental problem with the HRA development process, which often times does not come to the attention of the public, even though the hearings are public, until the development plan is well underway. He said that the United Properties development of a six-story building is probably higher than the original document intended for this site. He stated he is in agreement with the amendments to the document. The Xenia A venue Extension seems reasonable and the details will need to be resolved by the Advisory Committee. He added that he agreed with Pentel that the document should address the need for the north/south connector route and that the original language regarding height restrictions should be reinstated~ As far as the suggested input from citizens regarding the trade off of tax dollars for neighborhoods, he suggested the City Council may wish to schedule another town meeting. Pentel stated she has a problem with extending the redevelopment area and bonding to complete the Xenia A venue Extension project. She added that the city is making a radical departure by mOVing north into a residential area and that she was not convinced the Xenia Avenue Extension should proceed. She stated the maps do not identify all the properties that may be acquired so we do not know how much affordable housing will be lost. She concluded that most of the redevelopment amendments are necessary but she is not in favor of .' proceeding with the Xenia Avenue Extension. Kapsner commented that there has been much discussion about the amount of traffic that will be generated by the redevelopment. He stated it is impossible to limit the amount of traffic in this area due to development in St. Louis Park. The Xenia Avenue Extension may not be a perfect solution but it is clear that Turners Crossroads currently does not work. This whole issue has come up because the railroad land became available. Kapsner stated that if we . were not redeveloping this area, improvements would have to be made to Turners Crossroads . and a different group of neighbors would be unhappy. Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 13 . Pentel stated that from a planning standpoint there should have been more of a discussion at the time the railroad property came for sale prior to the purchase by the city. Martens commented that after hearing points made by other commission members he would be in favor of approving the amendment and allowing the Advisory Committee to work out the details. MOVED by Martens, seconded by McAleese to recommend to the City Council approval of the Draft Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan including the Draft Tax Increment Financing Plan subject to revision to include the height restrictions for the central area as stated in the original document and to include one or more specific objectives regarding the north/south connector route and the hazardous intersection. Motion carried with six in favor. Pentel opposed. Taylor stated that the Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan will go before the City Council at their meeting on December 1, 1998. VI. Informal Public Hearina - Conditional Use Permit (No. 75) Applicant: Borton Volvo Address: 905 Hampshire Avenue South Purpose: To allow an auto dealership by Conditional Use in the Industrial Zoning District . Grimes stated that this is a request for a conditional use permit to allow an auto dealership in the Industrial Zoning District. Borton Volvo plans to re-use the existing building on this property, which was formerly a restaurant, as a car dealership. They plan to construct an addition to the building for the service area. He said there was a cell tower on the site which will be leased back to the cell tower company. The property will meet the setback requirements on all sides. He indicated a variance was granted several years ago for the existing restaurant building that will remain. Borton has submitted a new parking plan that is in compliance with city code. There is a gated trash enclosure on site. Borton Volvo will maintain the existing signboard. Grimes added that from a land use standpoint, this has been an unsuccessful restaurant site and that the location may be better suited to a car dealership. He said that Borton believes with proper signage and advertising the location will be successful for them. Grimes stated the storm sewers will handle the drainage. Johnson asked about plans for signage on the site. Grimes stated there is an existing 27-foot sign board and height restrictions in the code will not allow a higher sign on this site. He commented that the city has allowed higher signs in locations next to 1-394 so they can be seen from the highway, but that would not be allowed on this site. .. . Groger commented that there are two parcels of land involved in this site and the current building straddles the two parcels. He stated that the CUP can proceed given this situation but questioned if it wouldn't be in the best interest of the city to combine this into one parcel at this time. Grimes responded that the city does allow this type of situation but that they may be able to re-plat the property or go to the county and ask them to eliminate the property line through an administrative process. Knoblauch stated that it would be in the best interest of the Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 14 City and the property owner to have it made into one parcel. Grimes stated the city will try to resolve this problem either through an administrative process or through re-platting, which would involve the additional property owner of the third parcel. . David Phillips of DCA Architects, 1250 East Moore Lake Drive in Fridley, spoke on bet:lalf of his client, Borton Volvo. He stated that the parking lot plan has been revised to comply with city code and that they will comply with all landscape, signage and engineering requirements. He requested the Planning Commission recommend approval of the permit. Pentel asked if there was any problem with the lighting requirements. Phillips responded that his office has completed projects for more than 50% of the car dealerships in the metropolitan area. He added that the new technology in lighting allows for very good lighting at dealerships. His firm will recommend the lighting level be lowered to approximately 25% at 10:00 or 10:30pm. Pentel asked if it would be necessary to include a recommendation that cars cannot be displayed in the setback area. Grimes responded that car dealerships are allowed to use the setback for display a limited number of times per year. Otherwise, the restriction is enforced and it could be included in the recommendation. Knoblauch asked if Borton Volvo would share in the cost of whatever process is necessary to remove the property line between the two parcels. Phillips responded that Borton Volvo would cooperate with the City in an equitable process to eliminate the property line. . Martens asked what hours the dealership would be open. Phillips responded they plan to have sales open Monday through Thursday. from 9am to 9pm. He indicated service would be open from 7am to 6pm Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, sales and service would be open from 6am to 6pm. Sales would be open from 9am to 6pm on Saturday. He added that service hours may be extended to midnight or added on Saturday if it is necessary to meet market demand. He stated that Borton will generate less traffic than a restaurant. Pentel asked if the dealership would be selling used vehicles. Phillips said yes. Pentel asked if they service vehicles other than Volvos. Phillips responded that they primarily service VOlvos, but they will provide service to any customer. Pentel stated that our recommendation should include removal of the property line and require that no automobiles be displayed in the setback area. Chair Pentel opened the informal public hearing; hearing and seeing no one, Pentel closed the informal public hearing. MOVED by Kapsner, seconded by Groger and motion carried unanimously to recommend to City Council approval of a Conditional Use Permit (No. 75) for Borton Volvo to allow a auto dealership in the Industrial zoning district, with the additional stipulation that no automobiles will be displayed in the setback area and that the property line dividing the two parcels be removed. . . . . Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission November 9, 1998 Page 15 VII. Re orts on Meetin s of the Housin and Redevelo ment Authorit Cit Council and Board of Zonina Appeals No report was presented. VIII. Other Business No other business was presented. IX. Adiournment Chair Pentel adjourned the meeting at 10:00 pm. Emilie Johnson, Secretary .. . . .. MEMORANDUM .. DATE: TO: FROM: RE: .. December 2, 1998 Golden Valley Planning Commission Elizabeth A. Knoblauch, City Planner Informal Public Hearing - Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment, From Light Industrial to Business and Professional Office This is the first of three related applications that will combine to establish an office PUD (planned unit development) just north of the Colonnade site in the 1-394 corridor. There will also be a rezoning and, of course, a PUD application to consider. The 7.75-acre subject property is bounded by Laurel Avenue, Turner's Crossroad, Golden Hills Drive, and Xenia Avenue (location map attached). Its sole occupant is the Roberts Hamilton plumbing supply company. The site was rezoned from open development to light industrial for its original tenant, the B. F. Goodrich Company, in 1957. At that time, Golden Valley had not yet embraced the idea of a long range "comprehensive plan map" as a document separate from the zoning map. Since the adoption of the first long range plan map as part of the City's 1959 comprehensive plan, the property's future use classification has remained industrial, based on its 1957 rezoning. West and south of the subject site, the comprehensive plan contemplates continuation of existing business uses. To the east, the plan contemplates a continuation of existing single family uses. To the north, where existing uses are a mix of institutional, apartment and large-parcel single family uses, the plan contemplates future conversion of the single family parcels to medium density (generally 5-12 units per acre) apartment or townhouse typ.e uses. The subject site is also part of the Central Area of Golden Hills, designated as an HRA redevelopment area in 1984. The redevelopment plan as first adopted stated that long range land uses for the Central Area are: "office or hotel combined with office for parcels adjacent to 1-394 moving into office warehouse and office manufacturing to the north. " The City Council has now approved an update of the redevelopment plan, forwarded by the HRA in September and reviewed by the Planning Commission in October; the new wording is slightly different, in recognition ~ of the changing demand generated by proximity to the 1-394 Xenia A venue interchange. It will allow for a "mix of medium to high density office, service, and light industrial uses" throughout the area, with the "highest densities and greatest emphasis on office uses immediately adjacent to 1-394" and "structured parking encouraged in order to maximize site density without compromising green space." Broadly speaking, the current comprehensive plan map designation would accommodate a range of office, industrial, or mixed uses as part of a PUD for this site. However, the specific proposal that the Planning Commission and City Council are about to consider focuses entirely on office uses, as have other recent concepts put forth by different developers. Given its relationship to 1-394, the site is an excellent candidate for long-term office use, and the more limited office designation will better protect the interests of abutting residential uses to the east and north than the current light industrial designation. If, for any reason, approval of the related rezoning and PUD applications is delayed or denied, the ongoing light industrial occupancy of the property will in no way be limited by this proposed change in the comprehensive plan map. The existing building could even be tom down and replaced quite legally by another light industrial facility. This first approval sets the stage for a future land use change, but is not sufficient to trigger such a change by itself. . Recommendation Staff recommend approval of the proposed comprehensive plan map amendment from a land use designation of light industrial to a business and professional office designation for the subject site. . Attachments: . Location Map .' 2 x CD :J iii' g )> ~ ~ o :J C CDI / I~ ~I , 'iii ~I , 1:\ :tl ~ :~ ~ ~ I ~I . : Cb .....S.~I ~ 0 I I ',0 I I '. I I I I I . I I ".r.~: ~J GO ~ _ _ .~, 0.,>' "f '.... E , I I , 1 1 J 1 . I ~;i 1 (""I:) .... ....1 Q,~,. ']D '" ...... ...-- ---...... . 1.i.' I .- = 0\ 1- I .. ~.l i: t'':. /.,.1 .' '. I .~ ;:. ut\ /jD- - -t'\. .... ., It>. t. ." .. _"': .", ,- :. WN ,0 . t~ -:.!".: .... t . ".-. '0 Z5 I O()~ ..... L______~-__'" _ ~../"'" ",: .$H . :; 1.,.S 11:; "" ~:i ..'"',""..... I J. I J J I " I , , , . ./ o . ~ '" nV. HILLS SrATF . rJ ...' <0 0 ~ .. ~ III 44U , 144 "" "" ... .. . ... \eo . SUo , .. ,I " ~I- 1 .. I II , 11 ,:;:: II ,'" ~II '5" ..) I I . '11 I 5740 II '00 : 1505760: '''II ,..,.,,^\ . 1-394 -_.t..-_:~ ' ~~~ , 3 ~~ -.-----. ..i ..__..__. _ ~. I 4. B w":: r ~~ . .s.~ a. ~ ~_.~~'- -"r5~-~- ~~. 0\ ,.. ... ~ c: ;;;. ..18 . 7. r :'; I -. ... , ....('~ . c .., :J' CD " ". Cil'#'..7 " t) 0" . ..,: ......10. o en en a 0) ~ a. ,; I.",. ~ tl .. ';" ~ I .. ..' ....C)>.. .,' -'-' J41.S ::0 JO~. ~. ,. I . :!!":: ~ I:l j;;:'"' . 0 .~ ~ 6 eo ... '" '- < ~G:' ~ .~ e:: ,.. .. ~ =aJ 8~ :0 ... ~ . ~ '. , <<'0' ~ ~ f ' North . ..... -i C ..~956 J09.6 ~'J3 - - - - .... - - .... ,:-t- CD "DC. NO. 53' 3'2 I .' ~,\ .., .. .en () a en en .., o .0) 10. DRIVE -f!,8D z,r. ".J .. ..I ~ '"' .. " .. ~I ~ /6,",71 ~ ~ ~ I. :::.. .' " .1:;. \A !- ... ~ .,. ~ .. .. ~ . .... . ~ 1-394 (".(,. .0 ,,~ . . \\ ':"4 .'~"...ll&.".., ''''.'tIII" ,,, l'..l(' ^,~t 14t..'{Jf) . "',,1,,,'1 '....,1 I\r~. ',.,..'''''' PARK , ~. '" ". '" ... '" ", r- ", _ _'!il. ~I Q.~ , i ';) 0 .Iv " ~ _.~.: .,. .'5 .. o .r. '. ... ! .......~:.... 4 '. - ~ ----. ~~'.Ioi :; ., :.. '? :.. :. "'u. '::: .22 .21 .Zo .'1 ,"0"1 .' . ''';'>(1 .. '. , .1 . . ,,- :: . ,,0 . . .i ., I~ ., 8 . 1.1., f'~' . .1 118 01' . , .",' "' 5 tH ;~ RAOISSON ,~ ~ " r;" '~l.' '~J . Z ... ..~ \ . ':.. .~~ ,.... J' .. .. ... . 4 --.,~.. .." i . I' "'. - I "7 I \..-"~-~' \)~:' : ~ .~\ \ , , ~ .0'" ,;,411 "~ .. z ., :- ,"\0 .I9L. C 10 " . ' Sf \ 5.J ='" .#"oJ I ~ ,\ " S la.' .~ ,\'; .. .. 4 " .~: ;:; 3 .f"" . 1",""" " ". z, F R. L. S. Ii 54'fj - ~.1i'O . .~.. 4' - .!. - - - - _It:_!~ .~ .jJ .: ."tI'L ".~ 4"" -...- - - - .._----:- ';'"~-,.\.... I , 4'. 4~ 1 Sf. .' . MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM: RE: December 2, 1998 Golden Valley Planning Commission Elizabeth A. Knoblauch, City Planner Informal Public Hearing - Rezoning from Light Industrial to Business and Professional Office, 800 Turners Crossroad (existing address); United Properties, Applicant . This is the second of three related applications leading to establishment of an office PUD (planned unit development) just north of the Colonnade site in the 1-394 corridor (location map attached). The current Light Industrial zoning designation of the subject property would not prevent an office development. Rezoning to the Business and Professional Office (B&PO) district, however, provides a better "fit" between what the developer proposes to build and the zoning standards against which the proposal must be evaluated. As a PUD, the proposed development is eligible for waiver of normal zoning district standards, but the Planning Commission and City Council need to understand the nature and scope of any such waivers in order to properly determine whether they are justified in view of the overall proposal. Industrial zoning standards would include requirements - such as a minimum of one truck loading berth for every 20,000 square feet of gross floor area regardless of intended building use - that simply are not relevant to office-only development. Also, the industrial zoning does not provide any setback standards for structures over three stories in height, as the developer proposes to build. It seems clear that office zoning standards would provide better evaluation guidelines in this case than industrial zoning standards. If, for any reason, this proposed rezoning goes through but approval of the related PUD application is delayed or denied, the ongoing light industrial occupancy of the existing building would not be compromised, but the property will become legally nonconforming. The building could be structurally maintained and its interior remodeled, but it could not be expanded. If it is ever tom down, it would have to be replaced by an office building. Given its relationship to 1-394, the site is an excellent candidate for eventual conversion to office use whether the current PUD proposal is approved or not. Whenever the time is right for redevelopment, the B&PO . / . zoning designation will better protect the interests of abutting residential uses to the east and north than the current Light Industrial zoning. Recommendation Staff recommend approval of the proposed rezoning from the Light Industrial to the Business And Professional Office district designation for the subject site. Attachments: · Location Map . . 2 ./ ,- I/t'.r I .. J1Z.4'" I . o I . ~ ~ . HILLS ,.. " .... !"") . .... ;-" .' SrATir . ... ... .... SU' , - ,I . " <>:.....1- , 'I , 01 I .1 ,:;: ,I ,'" ~oI '5" "',1 I , ..' I 5740 II 10D ".: .$55 . :i lH ... .. ... , /-r..^^, 1-394 ..' ....C):;.-.. ..' ~_J JfZ.S ;:0 JO~~, 76 I ~ ~ ~ ~ . a .~ ~ < ~ =(lJ ~G:' ~ 1- "'" ... .~ ::0 6 ... .. ... , ... <<'& North ~ ~ I . , I _h. t I .~ I ~. E au"" I ~(,; . - -. -~ . ~ 0:" -'.I5-:~'~ ~~. '__'1" - .-----.-- ,t- ..- ... f~ ~ . 7. ~~ ft, 1-- ... ~. .ZI '" Cl .Zo loa .. . Ci ~ ./~ ... ... ... !" _... ... '" ..Ii ;:; .. "- .'1 I'J ~ .. ...... - _'_~&- ~' 0, ti ~ . Ib ~ -- ~~~ -f C "',956 JOU ~.J 3 --- -----':'t-CD ",DC. NO. 530')2 I "'t. \ .., '" . (J) (') .., o (J) (J) .., o .0) ;0. >< CD :J 0) c; ? ~ ~ CD () :J ffil / ,v. ~I : ,~ ~I f:: :~ ~I "<I .to::::t ':a . ~I : q, I'"rS...., ';g: I ", I I I I I I /4". . 'I .1 ''': ~. &0' - -i-:jf~:~ Bll' ; {" (; ~t~ -, ... ~ .. ~ , '" -~ ... .. ... DRIVE .fI8f> 2'H.tJ.J /4'1.'11 ~ 1(' ",' to 0 ~ ~ -.I III ~ 'C::- 'a loa '0 ~ <'0 ~ -~ S' ... ., ,.\ ~ . .. If/J .' '.' s:;. .. !4 ... Cll ~ . ... .... ~ 1-394 r",.c.- ... ..' ~ ~I .. ::, ~ I. ". .'5 .. .", 04 g <tt: _ 1 .. - '.-. ., '-, / . __... :~-'.19 ~ ~ . 5 . r, 0 -f ? C .., :J' CD 1<0 01. .., . (J)r. .. .. ('). . .., o (J) (J) .., o 0) ~ 0. ';I.~.. ~ tl .. 'j< ~ I .. . b ;,~ .1 ~ .or, 1 5420 .. '. , .1 .., . --~?t' 3 -. ~ r 'a<~ <t:' o "0:: " ~ ." .1& .zz 8 . 1.1" r~' - or . , .'7 ." 14' .'S ~.... .'4 ... r' '0, .... ~ 1:>.... " . .. I, & RADISSON ~ I ~c.11 1:" '~~.' In J' ~ " .. ,. .. ~ .. \'1>0 ~ ~ .... ..~ \ . ':. ...,r oS"'.'~ ..... IH ;) _ iJ I, I,~ .. Z ., ." ./> .0 ,,~ . '.. . "",,' .:..'\ .fOoL., I 10 ~ . :'1 \ \ 51 ....J I , 5.':!d .. .\ .lll\~~, , .\ . ....~. 3 ~ " -:,\\ 4 ,~ .,~ .:' < . \\ , :"" · *'... .l/.'J """'.'"'' ", I{'e A-~. 141..'{)f) t"'.,I",'I' ,1.,,1 "'~. I,.,..'J:I PARK . . 0\. ... ... !-> .. .. ... .. ... _1__- .Jl.l; . :7ISTI *; If E n 'I '1 r~Q II . '''''0 '"'7 , .'C '. v" ,,' r,'" ., 1".. ' F R.L.S. $4'" - !J<'O . ~. . .' -I" ' H .. 01 .. .. .~.. ~, - ~ - - - - - l.':..h. _ _~_ _ .Jl 'Ii ..../.,~ 4,,, . - --- ~~.~.--'.. -;- -,-.!. I 4q && .' ~. . MEMORANDUM DATE: TO: FROM: RE: December 2, 1998 Golden Valley Planning Commission Elizabeth A. Knoblauch, City Planner Informal Public Hearing -- Preliminary Design Plan for Proposed P.U.D. No. 81, Golden Hills Office Center; 800 Turners Crossroad (existing address); United Properties, Applicant . BACKGROUND This is the last of three related applications necessary to establish an office PUD (planned unit development) just north of the Colonnade site in the 1-394 corridor. It follows the comprehensive plan map amendment and rezoning applications. The 7.75-acre (7.5 acres after street dedications) subject property is bounded by Laurel Avenue, Turner's Crossroad, Golden Hills Drive, and Xenia Avenue (location map attached). The site is part of the Central Area of the City's Golden Hills Redevelopment Area. The applicant has been formally designated by the City's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to undertake this project. The sole current occupant of the site is the Roberts Hamilton plumbing supply company, which will be acquired by the HRA and demolished. The developer proposes to construct a six-story office building with related parking deck (see preliminary plan set for additional details). The intended office uses are in keeping with the redevelopment plan components identified for the Central Area. The PUD process will establish the exact terms under which the site will be developed and operated, using the zoning standards for the City's Business & Professional Office district as a regulatory base. There are two stages of approval for any PUD proposal. This is the first, or Preliminary Plan stage. Its purpose is two-fold: to give the proposal a broad concept approval, and to call out issues that must be addressed in detail as the applicant advances to General Plan stage. Preliminary Plan approval provides an applicant some assurance of being on the right track, and some guidance on how to proceed, but does not guarantee that a proposal will become reality. In the case of the Planning Commission in particular, the limitations of Preliminary Plan approval are clearly laid out. City Code Sec. 11.55, Subd. 6.D states that "The Planning Commission's consideration of the application shall be limited to a determination of whether the application constitutes an . appropriate land use under the general principals and standards adhered . to in the City and, if necessary, its report shall include recommended changes in the land use planned by the applicant so as to conform the application or recommend approval subject to certain conditions or modifications." .. " ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICATION PUD's are regulated under City Code Section 11.55. Four subdivisions of that section come into play when screening PUD applications for eligibility. Each is discussed below. After considering the Golden Hills Office Center proposal in view of all four subdivisions, staff find that the proposal is eligible as a PUD and may enter the Preliminary Plan stage of application. PUD Definition -- PUD's are defined in Sec. 11.55, Subd. 2. This proposal fits under the terms of Subd. 2.A.6, which allows parcels in formally designated City redevelopment areas to be developed under the PUD designation. PUD Purpose and Intent - Applications must also meet the general purpose and intent of PUD's in Golden Valley, set out in Sec. 11.55, Subd. 1. The PUD process is intended "to provide an optional method of land use regulations which permit design flexibility by substantial variances" from standard zoning provisions; its purpose is to encourage "the use of contemporary land planning principles and coordinated community design." Because of the proposed building's height, City Code says it must be regulated under a conditional use permit; state law provides that planned unit developments are a sub-category of conditional uses. In this case, going to a PUD instead of a CUP will allow such flexible design options as: . locating site improvements closer to Xenia A venue in order to provide more than the minimum required setback as a buffer for the adjacent single family homes along Turner's Crossroad, and . exchanging some of the site's regular buildable area for setback area in order to wrap the building around the landscaped "water feature", thus allowing more tenants to take advantage of that view. Standards and Criteria for PUD's -- City Code establishes basic requirements for different types of PUD in Sec. 11.55, Subd. 5. Business or industrial uses are addressed in Subd. 5.C. Of the eight items listed, one does not apply in this case. Others will be formalized in various plans and agreements, some of which are not required until the General Plan stage of application. The list is as follows: 1. The PUD must h3ve 3t le3st 100 feet of ftonuge on 3 public street. Golden Hills Office Center will have more than ample frontage on all four streets. 2. All development must be served by public sewer 3nd w3ter, 3nd Rre hydr3ntr must be insulled 3ccording to 3 pl3n 3pproved by City Sufi Water and sewer lines are available at the site. Detailed planning for utility serv.ice to the proposed building will come with the General Plan, though a preliminary utility plan has been submitted for early Engineering review. 2 . . . 3. The materials used and IOC3don of any necessary fadlides for the surface drainage system must meet requirements est3blished by the City Engineer. A preliminary grading and drainage plan has been submitted. 4. The endre site must be part of the PUD. It is. 5. Off-street parkinc spaces must be permanendy marked and laid out in " accordance with a plan approved by the City. Engineering staff are reviewing preliminary plans for the parking and service drives, and will note any requirements that the applicant must incorporate into the plans before the General Plan stage of application. 6. Provisions must be made for easily accessible off-street IOadinc areas. Engineering review of the proposed dock area will occur as part of #5 above. 7. Private rOadWays within the PUD must be constructed accordinc to a plan and with the approval of the City Engineer as to type and IOC3don. There will be no private roads. 8. LandsC3pinc must be based on a det3iled plandnc plan approved by the City, and must meet est3blished minimum landsC3pinc st3ndards. Detailed landscape plans are a General Plan requirement, but the applicant has supplied a preliminary plan (please note: this plan mistakenly shows "as is" site boundaries instead of subtracting out the additional rights-of-way to be dedicated for Xenia Avenue and the Turner's Crossroad cul-de-sac). Completeness of Application Packet -- The final screening of any PUD proposal for eligibility purposes is based on Sec. 11.55, Subd. 6.A, which establishes the various components that must be submitted at the Preliminary Plan stage of application. The City is in possession of the required application form, preliminary design exhibits, mailing list, preliminary plat, and application filing fee. Staff find all components suitably complete for this stage. . .. PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS The types of issues that come up in connection with PUD applications can vary based on the PUD type and on specific characteristics of each PUD. Concerns regarding the Golden Hills Business Park can be grouped into the categories of zoning tradeoffs, general appearance and compatibility with adjacent uses, platting, and miscellaneous engineering or construction issues. Each category will be addressed in the following paragraphs. Zonina -- The "Purpose and Intent" paragraph of the City's PUD requirements makes it clear that a major intent of the PUD process is to "permit design flexibility by substantial variances from the provisions of [the zoning] chapter, including uses, setbacks, height, parking requirements, and similar regulations." Thus, to some extent, variances are a given with any PUD; that is part of what the process exists to do for qualified PUD applications. Despite the basic intent of the PUD process with regard to variances, the City must ensure that each proposal does not exceed the bounds of good design practices in the type and extent of variances being requested. To that end, it is useful to know how any proposal varies from normal zoning standards. A comparison between the specifics of the proposed Golden Hills Business Park . 3 .' PUD and the underlying site zoning (see comparison of standards, attached) reveals two types of variances being requested for the overall site: setbacks - for surface parking/driveways and parking deck -- and lot coverage for the deck. First, the developer's proposed 48-foot Turner's Crossroad buffer is significantly wider than the normally required 35-foot setback, but does not quite run the full length of the block; there is a proposed structure setback variance for the far : southeast corner of the parking deck. The infringement occurs next to a proposed cul-de-sac on Turner's just north of Golden Hills Drive, where the deck extends approximately 8 feet into the setback, putting it some 27 feet from the property line at its closest point of approach. In comparison, all of the much taller Colonnade parking ramp lies about 20 feet from Turner's Crossroad and about 30 feet from Golden Hills Drive. A corner of the surface parking area below the deck, and part of the ramp leading up to the deck level are also within the cul-de-sac setback area. At its closest point of approach, the ramp lies about 13 feet from the property line. It is not clear whether the ramp infringement should be called a structure or a parking/driveway nonconformity, or a bit of both. The proposed cul-de-sac is one of several consultant recommendations arising from a study of traffic conditions in the 1-394 corridor. The aim is to improve the quality of life in the adjacent residential neighborhood by ensuring that all Colonnade and Golden Hills Shopping Center traffic, as well as all through-traffic coming from or heading to 1-394 or St. Louis Park, will use Xenia Avenue rather than seeking "shortcuts" through the neighborhood. The subject proposal does not depend on having the cul-de-sac, nor does it generate the need for it. The affected site improvements will not come any closer to the homes across the street than elements farther north that meet or exceed setback requirements; rather, the bulb shape of the cul-de-sac creates a need to cut into this part of the site for additional right-of-way. The developer is dedicating the necessary right- of-way on the PUD plat. Since proposed on-site parking is provided at a rate above the normally required minimum, the size of the deck could be cut back in order to reduce or eliminate these proposed setback variances. On the other hand, widespread use of modular work cubicles and furnishings is resulting in higher employment densities for all types of office situations; according to market experts, one of the top demands in new Class A office facilities is increased parking. The developer feels the proposed parking rate is important to the success of this project. Second, the proposal incorporates two setback variances for surface parking areas. Along Golden Hills Drive, a row of 14 parking spaces is located 25 feet from the right-of-way line. Over on Xenia Avenue, a row of 12 spaces is located only 20 feet from the right-of-way. As noted above, the number of spaces at either location could be cut back in order to reduce or eliminate these proposed setback variances, but that might detract from the development's marketability. Reducing the proposed Turner's Crossroad buffer area would be another way to at least minimize the Xenia Avenue parking setback variance, and it might also provide for general parking lot re-design to accommodate more spaces that meet required setbacks. On the other hand, the buffer is an important feature for homeowners across the street. Alternatively. the developer could re-design the site with a compact rectangular building like the Colonnade instead of the . . . 4 proposed "ell" shape, and then squeeze the proposed water feature into the setback area as much as possible, using the freed-up buildable land to pull parking and driveway areas back within normally allowed areas, but overall site design quality would suffer from such changes. The building's shape provides an attractive view of the water feature for more office occupants, and the prominent location of the water feature as framed by the building establishes a positive community image for traffic coming into Golden Valley from the overpass at the Xenia/I-394 interchange. According to the Golden Hills Redevelopment Plan, appearance is an important consideration in redevelopment efforts for this area. In terms of lot coverage, the building is well under the normally permitted maximum of 40 percent, so the proposed setback variances clearly are not due to an over-large building footprint. Balancing all of the factors involved, none of the proposed variances for the deck or the paved surface areas seem unreasonable. Third, there are two difficult-to-quantify potential setback variances involving access areas. The proposed loading dock retaining wall on Golden Hills Drive may lie slightly within the setback area. The underground parking access ramp on Xenia Avenue does lie well within the normally required 35-foot setback. In both cases, the affected features will be dug down at least partly below site grade, and most zoning provisions are not intended to deal with below-grade improvements - for example, structure setbacks apply only from the ground up, and the lowest levels of buildings are not counted as "stories" if a specified percentage lies below grade. Also, by definition, any access drive must lie partly in a setback or it cannot connect with a street to provide that access; it typically is not called a setback infringement as long as it takes the shortest reasonable path across the setback area. Is a below-grade loading dock a setback infringement? Is a necessary access ramp to a below-grade garage door or loading dock a setback infringement? The flexibility of the PUD process allows the City to step back from possible disputes over precise code interpretations and evaluate any given situation on its broader merits. Certainly, the difference in elevation will help minimize the visual impact of both affected areas, and they seem to be relatively minor considerations in view of the overall site design. An elevation sketch (attached) of the loading dock area does indicate a five-foot berm in that area, to provide additional screening beyond the grade change. Finally, getting away from setbacks and into structural lot coverage, the proposed parking deck is slightly over the normally allowed limit of 20 percent. This variance could be reduced by eliminating some of the expanded parking as discussed earlier, or by reducing the deck footprint and adding another level. On the other hand, as currently proposed, the deck's relatively low prOfile combined with a proposed berm along the Turner's buffer area will help minimize its aesthetic impact. Also, balancing the oversized deck, main building coverage is way below the normally permitted 40 percent. If the City takes the more flexible stand of considering overall structural coverage instead of splitting it into main building and deck, the total is only 32 percent as opposed to the normally permitted 60 percent. That does not seem unreasonable. ADDearancel ComDatibilit'{ - The Golden Hills Redevelopment Area was created to eliminate blighting influences, upgrade the overall appearance of properties, and take advantage of the increased tax base potential of properties close to the Xenia A venue/I-394 interchange. As the first redevelopment project . . . 5 . . in the area, the Colonnade PUD to some extent sets a standard for appropriate appearance and use (permit attached). Unlike the Colonnade, however, the subject property is located directly across the street from an established single family neighborhood to the east and existing or proposed medium density residential uses to the north; that makes it more of a transitional site, and may call for somewhat different treatment on certain points. First, given the nearby residential areas, the developer's proposed all-office use appears to be better for this particular site than the broader mix of office, warehouse, and industrial uses that could be considered under the general terms of the redevelopment plan. Because of the ample on-site parking, there should be no need for the PUD permit to include any limit or prohibition on high parking uses like medical offices. While still at a fairly high intensity, the proposed use here is less dense than on the Colonnade site, which is also appropriate given the greater distance from 1-394 and closer proximity to residential uses. The developer has located the building well away from neighboring residences. The previously discussed 48-foot buffer area along Turner's Crossroad provides added separation from the single family homes, as does the proposed berm in that buffer area. There are no driveways onto Turner's Crossroad or Laurel Avenue. The building's loading/service dock area is located on Golden Hills Drive, away from any residential uses and with little or no visibility from the main through-street of Xenia A venue. Long-term continuation of appropriate site use and improvements will be ensured by the provisions written into the PUD permit. Second, there are several office-related services that would make appropriate accessory uses within the building. Because of their limited patronage, such services would be considered part of the "general office" building occupancy for parking purposes. Acceptable accessory uses would include but not be limited to snack bars or cafeterias, copying and collating centers, mailing centers, or on- site day care; the developer has also mentioned a possible "locker room" area. To keep their purely accessory status, these uses should not be advertised to the general public. To help ensure an adequate customer base, however, the PUD permit could allow advertisement by internal flyer to other Golden Hills Central and West Area buildings with permission from those buildings' managers. Third, the decked row of parking spaces facing the Turner's Crossroad homes may cause some concern, but the developer appears to have provided for screening of headlight glare and reduction of other potential nuisances such as appearance and noise. An elevation sketch of the parking deck (attached), proposes a five-foot-high buffer area berm along Turner's Crossroad. In addition, the PUD application states that the upper level of the parking deck will be just ten feet above grade, with a parapet extending another four feet above that. A four- foot-high solid wall would be sufficient to screen most types of vehicle lights and much of the vehicles themselves. Since deck height is not specified in any of the plans or elevations likely to be attached as part of the finalPUD permit, it should be included among the other permit terms. A minimum berm height might also be specified (note that no such provision is currently included in the list of staff recommendations). Fourth, landscaping is always subject to final approval by the City's Building Board of Review and must at least meet some very basic guidelines for number and size of plantings. In the PUD process, the basics are often augmented by 6 . . . .. specific requirements to enhance site appearance or provide added buffering. Where quality of landscaping materials is particularly important, a landscaping plan may also be subject to review by the City Forester. For this PUD, added evergreen plantings might be desirable to screen surface parking along Laurel Avenue. If the parking deck parapet along Laurel or Turner's is reduced to less than four feet above deck level or is not constructed as a solid wall, added evergreen plantings should be required for deck screening as well. Due to the" long term importance of their function as screening elements, the City Forester should be consulted as to appropriate varieties, sizes, and spacing, to best ensure the longevity of any such plantings (note that no landscaping provision other than for final BBR approval is currently included in the list of staff recommendations). At this time, the water feature is proposed as both a site amenity and an on-site storm water ponding facility. The HRA is studying the feasibility of establishing a regional ponding facility north of Laurel A venue as part of the proposed Xenia Avenue extension, but is not expected to reach a final determination on the matter before next February. The applicant has decided to go ahead with on-site ponding now rather than waiting for the outcome of the feasibility study. Because of the water feature's dual purpose, particular attention should be given to landscaping and grading in that area of the site. Again, the BBR and/or City Forester could provide helpful input even after the point of main PUD approval, but the applicant should also supply some detailed visual perspectives of the water amenity and its immediate surroundings as part of the required landscape plan for General Plan consideration by the City Council. Fifth, outside storage has historically been one of the blighting influences in the Golden Hills area. In an all-office development of the quality proposed for this site, outside storage is not likely to become a major issue; nevertheless, it sometimes pays in the long run to be very clear about expectations up front. The Colonnade PUD permit specifies that all trash must be kept within the building except on the day of pickup; the same provision should be included in the permit for this proposed PUD. Outside storage of such items as yard maintenance equipment, corporate vehicles, or miscellaneous supplies should generally be prohibited, but the City may want to allow the option of using a well-screened portion of the under-deck parking area for such storage if a need should develop (note that no such option is currently included in the staff recommendations). Sixth, the # 9 bus passes this site on its way to and from downtown Minneapolis. Also, plans for the Xenia Avenue extension include links to the City's pedestrian and bicycle trail system. With such readily accessible alternative transportation options, sidewalks through and around the site are both compatible and highly desirable design elements. During development negotiations, staff stated that the developer would be expected to provide sidewalks along all four streets; the Colonnade PUD permit reflects this same expectation. The developer should work with Engineering staff on exact locations and construction specifications. Reasonable effort will be made to stay within public right-of-way, but some parts of the sidewalks may end up inside the site boundaries; in that case, the developer will be expected to provide public access easements - again, just as the Colonnade developer was required to do. Once built, the City will assume maintenance responsibilities for all four street sidewalks, The developer should . . . 7 also provide at least one internal site sidewalk as a safe route for pedestrians and cyclists from the building's main entrance out to the Xenia Avenue sidewalk. In addition to sidewalks, two other alternative transportation facilities are recommended. An official bus stop should be designated along Xenia Avenue, which will become the transit route after the road is extended (buses now use Turner's Crossroad and Golden Hills Drive). At minimum, this facility should -_ include a hard surface large enough to accommodate a full shelter without impeding use of the adjacent public sidewalk. As with the sidewalks, reasonable effort will be made to locate this facility within the proposed right-of-way, but part or all of it may require an on-site easement. The developer should work with City Engineering staff and Metro Transit staff on appropriate location, improvements, and installation/maintenance responsibility. Less important but still desirable is a permanent, secure bicycle parking area somewhere on the site (note that no such provision is currently included in the list of staff recommendations). This would be especially appropriate if the developer decides to provide the locker room facility mentioned earlier. If outside the building, any bike facility location should be identified on the site plan. Finally, overall site signage and individual business signage have become an issue in at least one recent PUD application. Generally speaking, the City's position is that PUD signage must meet the appropriate standards established in City code. The Colonnade site does meet those standards, and so should this development. Plat -- Since there is only one parcel of land being turned into one platted lot, and the site is not on a county or state highway, nor is it impacted by shoreland, floodplain, or wetland issues, the subdivision process is quite straightforward for a change. Preliminary review by the Planning staff turns up only three minor points. The final plat should reflect additional right-of-way to be dedicated for Xenia Avenue and for the Turner's Crossroad cul-de-sac, both of which are indicated by lines labeled "proposed right-of-way" on the preliminary plat; the PUD permit will note that those dedicated rights-of-way are excluded from any other terms of PUD approval. The final plat should also indicate the standard 10- foot drainage and utility easements around the perimeter of the site, as well as any other easements the City Engineer may find necessary. The County requires the PUD designation to be printed in a particular format, and the City prefers that the plat name be the same as the PUD name; therefore, the formal name of the final plat should be "Golden Hills Office Center P.U.D. No. 81". Enaineerina/Construction Issues -- The comments of the Engineering Department (see memo dated December 1,1998, attached) list several items requiring some form of follow-up by the applicant. For the most part, this involves the addition of specific details to final plan sheets and/or the use of particular materials or practices during site construction. Engineering comments note and in some cases expand upon certain points also raised in this main report, such as sidewalks around the site perimeter, street dedication, on-site storm water treatment, and landscaping elements in the Tumer's Crossroad cul- de-sac right-of-way. To ensure that the site is properly integrated with the design concept for the Xenia Avenue corridor and for Golden Hills traffic circulation in general, the City Engineer has solicited additional comments from the consultant, which may generate additional recommendations at a later date. The applicant will also have to submit grading, erosion and sediment control plans to the 8 . . . . Bassett Creek Water Management Commission for review and approval prior to any site construction. The applicant should address all points set out in the Engineering review as part of the General Plan submittal or as otherwise appropriate. The Inspections Department comments (see memo dated November 17,1998, attached) provide advance warning 0f key construction details, many of whtch will not come up until the structural plans and specifications are drawn up. They also concur with a couple of points noted elsewhere in this memo. Inspections has also noted the need for one outside review that the applicant will have to undergo, in this case by the Metropolitan Waste Control Commission. . STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommend approval of the preliminary design plan for proposed P.U.D. No. 81, Golden Hills Office Center, subject to the following additional recommendations: 1. permitted uses include general offices plus limited office support services like cafeterias or snack bars, copying and collating centers, mail centers, or day care - with no outside advertising allowed for the support services, in order to maintain their classification as accessory uses; 2. a parking structure with a single deck above ground level parking is also permitted, provided that the structure's fa~de complements the appearance of the main bUilding and the deck parapet consists of a solid wall extending at least four feet above the deck surface on the Tumer's Crossroad and Laurel Avenue sides of the site; 3. permitted or required site improvements will be those specified in the provisions of the PUD permit, and/or shown on one or more plans approved as attachments to the permit; 4. landscaping plans are subject to final approval by the Building Board of Review after completing the PUD process; 5. detailed visual perspectives of the water amenity/storm water ponding facility and its immediate surroundings must be supplied as part of the required landscape plan for General Plan consideration, and may be made part of the PUD permit, subject to final approval of the Building Board of Review; 6. waste and recycling facilities are to be located entirely within the main building, and no rubbish, recycling, or other disposable material or container for holding such material is to be left outside except on the day of pickup; 7. yard maintenance equipment, corporate vehicles, miscellaneous supplies and any other stored items are to be kept within the main building; 8. the developer must construct public sidewalks along all four streets around the site, working with City Engineering staff on locations and specifications; where any part of a street sidewalk is located within the site's boundaries, the developer is to provide permanent easements for public access. Once built, the City will assume maintenance responsibilities for all four street sidewalks; . 9 9. the developer must also construct and maintain at least one internal site . sidewalk, providing a safe path for pedestrians and cyclists from the building's main entrance out to Xenia Avenue; 10. the developer must work with City Engineering staff and Metro Transit staff on appropriate location, improvements, and installation/maintenance responsibility for a bus stop facility along Xenia Avenue; if necessary, the developer will provide an easement for an on-site location; 11. signage must meet appropriate standards established in City code; 12. the final plat must reflect additional right-of-way to be dedicated for Xenia Avenue and for the Turner's Crossroad cul-de-sac; 13. the above-noted dedicated rights-of-way will be excluded from any other terms of PUD approval as spelled out in the PUD permit; 14. the final plat must indicate standard 10-foot drainage and utility easements around the site perimeter, as well as other easements the City Engineer may find necessary; 15. the name of the final plat must be "Golden Hills Office Center P.U.D. No. 81"; 16. the applicant is to address all requirements and comments set out in the Engineering Department memo dated December 1, 1998; and 17. the applicant is to address all requirements and comments set out in the Inspections Department memo dated November 17,1998. . Attachments: · Location Map · Preliminary Plan Set (oversized; may be enclosed separately) · Comparison of Standards · Elevation Sketch Of Loading Dock Area · PUD Permit for Colonnade Site (oversized attachments omitted) · Elevation Sketch Of Parking Deck · Engineering Department Memo · Inspections Department Memo . 10 ':'~.. ~ 0 - b -f f) .I9L, C .., -. :., It ~ .0'" :J' C CD ^ 01. .., . , ~ CIJ or . 10 ~. ~ (")'- .....lO. " .., : . . , 0 \ CIJ '42(1 , 5' CIJ !.4 I , 5.':!" .., 0, 0 '. m .;4" '" a. 1.\ . \ " ~ta.' l'U"... '- ., ..... Z 3 .\ ~ .. .. ., .. I .. .~: 4 .' :- ",0 ,0 ':,\ , .. h~ .r, ) ~ . \\ .~ .:,.. "".:JI.v.." ""'."""" IIi {.I...(' .~J 1f/..'A) '" . ".."",'/ ,'&.,/ "'~. ".,....,~ -... .' . PARK '01" , "" 1- ,/u I ,'HZ,,' ... C_) Jfl.S ::0 -21 JOu-L- ~ .~ '. u I ~ ::: ~ l:l ;::!'" . () .~ ..' ..... ....."., '."....>.. .' .:;, .. ~ -21 < ~ '" y. -Zo ~~. =CD '" '" ~~ . a 1- .... -- < :::c ~. - " 6 ... .. :!: .., .... 0 !" _.~. .-- :.... ~U' -- '" 4t.la ~ North ;;. ~ " .... -11 1'1 r- I ., r .., -- _'lOa. () () .., .1' J .';)0 . ,,, . '! .... ..' n_':'_.& .' o x CD :J . iii" ~ () ~ ~ CD () :J ffil / I~ ~I o 'c!\ ~J : ,:to ::tJ ra :~ ~ ~ I ~ . :... poorr~1 ;g: 1 ". I J , I I I 0' I ".~: ....1 GO' - ( 0 A or"'" ~ ,~ ~ -f C "~856 JO'-' 'l;.J 3 -- - - - - --::.t"t: CD "DC. NO. 53C3'Z I .., ~ .., .CIJ (") a CIJ CIJ .., o .m !a. ... OJ ~ ... .15 .. g d.;:. 4- :"', -./ '.- . -_. ... :~,.!, . .... ... "" ~ ~ - 5 u~ ;~ .v. HILLS DRIVE ... ..' ~ ~I .. :1 I~U71 ~ 418D 2U'.~.J SrATrr ~ . 'If I , , N' ... Q t .. ~ U\ I, I\a \0 =" 11\ '" ~ ~ ~;; ... ... . ... S'U. , 15 " " :....1- I II , II ' II ':: ,I . ,'" ~d '5. "",I I . .,' I 5740 " ISoS1S0: 100 ".: .SH ':iTH ." .. .. -':"i__ 1)',Il.p ::'15t I 0, E .. .. - ", _..~ ~.._--'~ I J .L .._.. ___. _ ~ I " 4-~ w, I ~~ - S_~ a. I-- ZOI -..15-:.~ ~~. -j - . --.-. -- .... .. .;; c: 7 ., , ... r ~ I - . ... -IS ....o'l , -c<~ <t- o ~cr.. el' _IA el7 _I' 14' or . : 8 . "3 u' '. , .. ~ ... ~- -/4 ...... Il.. ..... () .,.' c-, · ... II' ,"0'1 ~ .", .. ... --~ RAOISSON ,~ ' ',c.'/ ~" '.S,' .)) J. ! ~:.. '.,.~ ,... .. .. ,~ c , . .. "" .... ~ .. .. ".1' . _ ..n __I ..... r+ '''.''''A\ ~ 1-394 1-394 100 I' : iiOOCO' . r.:~:~ .- . CJ:" ~'" (".... .. r,'......, F R.L.S. 54'" - !.un ~~. . - .:. - - - - - ~:_JL _ _~_ 'J.' .:. .""'6 ... .a".:t " - - _..__.._--~ . . . a ..nu _.~ .,. COMPARISON OF STANDARDS: BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL OFFICE ZONING vs. GOLDEN HILLS OFFICE CENTER PUD I ~ B&P Office Zoning PUD Proposal Permitted Uses: Offices (including Proposed Uses: Offices and office- medical) and office-accessory. accessory Minimum Lot Size: Proposed Lot Size: 1 Acre Okay - (Approx. 7.5 acres net) Minimum Setbacks: Proposed Setbacks: Street: Street: 35 Feet All Structures, Plus Laurel Okay 5 Feet Per Story Over 3 Turner's - Small Deck variance (50 ft. for 6-story office bldg.) at Future Cul-de-Sac Xenia Okay G.H. Drive Okay Except Maybe Dock Retaining Wall 35 Feet All Surface Laurel Okay Parking/Driveways Turner's Okay Except at Future Cul-de-Sac Xenia - Parking at 20 Ft., Ramp Down Varies to 13 Ft (may be below-grade) G.H. Drive - Parking at 25 Ft., Side & Rear: Side & Rear: NA - Streets on all sides Minimum Lot Coverage: Proposed Lot Coverage: 40 Percent - Main Building Main Building - Under Limit at 10% 20 Percent - ParkinQ Structure ParkinQ Deck - Over Limit at 22% Maximum Building Height: Proposed Building Height: 3 Stories By Right; Taller Allowed Six Stories Plus Underground With Added Limitations Parking/Storage - Okay Minimum Loading Areas: Proposed Loading Areas: "Adequate" For Each Business in Okay By Developer's Interpretation the Development of "Adequate" Minimum Parking Spaces: Proposed Parking Spaces: Office - 1 Per 250 SF Okay For 180,000 SF Building as Proposed - (1 Per 208 SF) . . . "\ ~ ~~ ~~ \ ~~ ~'\, \~in , 10' ~' \~~ ~ "," \-1 ~ ~ ~--; N' " : --l I '" I I ~I \ i5' I ~..... IO~1 --L.liX I ,,;' \~O I :'\f ~; ~ I \.'" ij=' I I ,"" ~:z:, , f.l; Q.n I I -.: ,,1' - - T : .,.. ::~,\~ ~ '~r .;' ~ ,,1' \: ,'..1 ->.~, ~ <[ \ I f....... ~.ffi-f ? rilf'.":" :\ --~ : ;:1::. ..,..~.::::tJ, /1':' I ~ \ i .~ ..: '" ~ ___.1,: ,:,:;.~~ ~ II " ~~_-11 1:;r(r1r~ \[ '" ,,\ I .:. ;~:J~ .~, ; ~~ ).:;!1' ,-\J"'r ~ I ----, ~ I i;ir',: :'~.,;1. J ~ ~ /['..' ,', ~ I " :,,,'1j~J L, ~)-'~. 1"- I ,,', r~(, "t'\ ~~~ - - - -I: ,,<"':',':','.~I . 'I~: ',.' I ~t' :: J'U'l 'II. U ,).. 'I \' ~:'t- II 10.: I' ---~: . q?~ ~ . "..~ :: " ,.\:~?r~ ~ .I> .:. ~~ _ --J : :.... ., ;'.' :,.'" ~ I h-~ .' . " ,\- I I .;':./:;. ~,,:~ >. ;'" ~~ ~l ~ "" --, I '}.,l I I I I ~1' I I I~ __.J I , I I I , I I I , f I _..d"ll~~f{\~ Y . 'Ii"'" ~. . ~~.,; ~/fA t- r-;1?f..~ 'n ". ~~~t ~m.{ ~~ ).1 : 1'''' ~ I ~...RI I f':':;'::i':~> j ~fll.rr: , I of:' \' I 'vI ,. I ~.':.:.~' ,..a::'\\~ '.::,... ltL",' .... t '"::5-..',)..,-, ~ ., 'r~J.1 ~ I?:',:,:' . .. :.;' ~9J .... , 'R.~ ~ . . ~ ." : I . ~,,:,'::.Jj:... . \'. :.; ~':'>.::::,~:r ~~..: ~~;~~' ~ ~~ :: ',';l ".,,:: r 0_.... ... . . . !,'...... ..... ~ ~ , .:'. P.U.D. #53 City Council Approval: December 16, 1986 . CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY, MINNESOTA USE PERMIT FOR PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT PROJECT NAME: ADDRESS: The Colonnade 5500 - 5600 Wayzata Boulevard and 700 Turners Crossroad LEGAL DESCRIPTION: Lots 1, 2,3 and 4, Block 1, The Colonnade P.U.D. No. 53 APPLICANT: ADDRESS: Trammell Crow Company 8400 Normandale Lake Blvd., #375 OWNERS: Bloomington, MN 55437 The Colonade Limited Partnership 8400 Normandale Lake Blvd., #375 Bloomington, MN 55437 and . ZONING DISTRICT: PERMITTED USES: Golden Valley Housing and Redevelopment Authority 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55427 Commercial and Light Industrial Uses permitted in this Planned Unit Development are an office building, hotel and shared parking ramp. COMPONENTS: A. Land Use Component: ~ 1. Land uses within P.U.D. 53 shall be as follows: a) An office building 15 stories in height comprising 409,000 square feet of gross office space and 360,000 square feet of leasable office space. b) A suite hotel with minimal conference and restaurant facilities comprising up to approximately 250 suites. . . . . - 2 - c) A five-level parking ramp 52 feet in height providing 1124 parking spaces with potential for addition of a sixth level providing an additional 225 to 230 parking spaces for a total of approximately 1350 parking spaces. d) Retail and service uses compatible with the office and hotel uses. Retail and service uses shall be scaled to accommodate the office and hotel clientele. Uses may include, but shall not be limited to, the following: Day care, health club, restaurants, cafeteria, postal substation, banking facilities, car wash, convenience store, travel agency, secretarial service, barber shop, beauty shop and tanning booth. e) Potential interim use of the hotel site for surface parking. 2. The Concept Landscape Site Plan, prepared by Arteka Landscape Architects/ Contractors, dated February 20, 1986, shall be revised to conform to the Overall Site Plan, Sheet No. C 1.1, prepared by Wilson/ Jenkins and Associates, Inc., dated October 14, 1986, and shall be subject to the approval of the City Building Inspector. Landscaping, as shown on the approved Concept Landscape Site Plan, shall be completed within 210 days following completion and occupancy of buildings. '. . .. 3. Landscaping of the median in Xenia Avenue South in accordance with the Concept Landscape Site Plan prepared by Arteka Landscape Architects/ Contractors, dated February 20, 1986, shall be optional subject to the final decision of the office building developer. If the office building developer elects to landscape the median, it shall be the responsibility of the developer to obtain approval from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the landscaping, to coordinate the landscap- ing with MnDOT median construction, to install landscaping materials, and to maintain the median landscaping. If the median is landscaped, the office building developer shall provide a sprinkler service connec- tion for maintenance of the landscaping. 4. The foundation for the parking ramp shall be constructed in such a manner as to accommodate future addition of another level of parking if required. 5. The office building developer shall be responsible for site preparation, including demolition and grading, of the entire PUD site, including the hotel site, prior to construction. 6. Special precautions shall be taken during and after construction to protect against erosion, silting, excessive grading, or any other conditions detrimental to the area. Grading and excavation for footings and other construction needs shall be done in an manner so as to avoid dirt storage, disturbing of trees, or other activities beyond the prescribed construction limits. , . - 3 - B. Circulation Component: 1. The office building developer shall be responsible for installation of 4It sidewalks on the office, parking ramp, and common entrance sites and adjacent street right-of-way as shown on the Overall Site Plan, Sheet No. C 1.1, prepared by Wilson/Jenkins and Associates, Inc., dated October 14, 1986. The hotel developer shall be responsible for instal- lation of sidewalks on the hotel site and adjacent street right-of-way as required. 2. The City of Golden Valley shall maintain sidewalks wholly or partially on street right-of-way along Xenia Avenue South, Turners Crossroad, and the frontage road. The office building owner shall maintain all sidewalk located entirely on private property on the office, parking ramp, and common entrance sites. The hotel owner shall maintain all sidewalk located entirely on private property on the hotel site. 3. All green areas adjacent to parking and access areas shall be pro- tected by concrete curb. 4. The developers shall participate in transit planning for the 1-394 corridor. C. Subdivision Component: 1. Sidewalk easements shall be provided by separate instrument for sidewalks partially on street right-of-way and partially on private property along ~ Xenia Avenue South, Turners Crossroad, and the frontage road. .., . . D. Services and Facilities Component: 1. All utilities shall be underground. 2. All mechanicals on roof or ground shall be screened with Inspection. Department approval. 3. The structure and grading shall meet all the requirements of the Golden Valley Fire Marshal, Engineering Department and Sanitarian. 4. All waste generated by the occupancy shall be stared internally until removed from the premises. E. Construction Order Component: 1. A bond running in favor of the City of Golden Valley as obligee in an amount to be determined by the City Engineering Department shall be provided for all bituminous surfacing and concrete walk as indicated on the Overall Site Plan, Sheet No. C 1.1, prepared by Wilson/Jenkins and Associates, Inc., dated October 14, 1986. The bond shall be executed and delivered to the Golden Valley Inspection Department prior to issuance of building permits. 4It . . . .' - 4 - '" / - 5 - to conform to the above Overall Site Plan, Sheet No. C 1.1, prepared by Wilson/Jenkins and Associates, Inc., dated October 14, 1986. It is hereby understood and agreed that this Use Permit is a part of the City Council approval granted on December 16, 1986 relative to Planned Unit Development #53. . THE COLONADE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP BY: Crow-Colonade, Inc. Its Managing General Partner WITNESS:~(~ Lj,'~'-cd.z.~ BY: .:I ./ O.,,,-_.U I-f {U7 :r1"!J . I/? 1/zl/t7 DATE: GOLDEN VALLEY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY -~~. . WITNESS: ~.~ '-17 a.ll.y . 1MCi/n '-/J? [4.1/fU.! AND: . Wil iam S. BY: WITNESS: DA TE : May 4, CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY . WITNESS:~:S~",?, City Manager WITNESS: ,,~.q d -- V P'.<_ ~ _~ BY: WARNING: This permit does not exempt you from all other City Code provisions, . regulations and ordinances. . .' . .. .. p:I: o..u ~ :J: ~- ~In 01 ~~ ..J UI 10 !OQ Ili~ ~ol ~m ~~ O\) UI Z :J ~,., ., f"o 'r"1\1 "'" MEMORANDUM DATE: DECEMBER 1, 1998 TO: MARK GRIMES DIRECTOR OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT FROM: JEFF OLIVER, P.E. A CITY ENGINEER ~() SUBJECT: PRELIMINARY PLAN REVIEW: P.U.D. 81, GOLDEN HILLS OFFICE DEVELOPMENT Engineering staff has reviewed the plans for the proposed P.U.D. #81, Golden Hills Office Center. This proposed development is located north of Golden Hills Drive, east of Xenia Avenue and south of Laurel Avenue. The following comments are based upon this staff review. SITE PLAN: 1) A copy of this site plan has been forwarded to S.E.H., the City's consulting engineer on the proposed Xenia Avenue extension project for review and comment. This review will be based upon the proposed plans for Xenia Avenue, and for overall site circulation and access as it relates to the Golden Hills redevelopment area. A copy of the S.E.H. review will be forwarded to you when it is received. 2) The site access onto Xenia Avenue must be revised to be a right in/right out access. This is necessary because the proposed plans for Xenia Avenue indicate that a raised median will be placed in the center of Xenia Avenue as part of the project. 3) The preliminary plat includes the dedication of additional street right-of-way on Xenia Avenue for the proposed upgrading. In addition, right-of-way has been provided in the southeast corner of the site for the proposed cul-de-sac on Turner's Crossroads. The dedication of the right-of-way in these locations is acceptable as shown. 4) There is no proposed access onto Laurel Avenue or Turner's Crossroads shown on these plans. . . 5) The developer should add six-foot wide concrete sidewalks along the Xenia Avenue and Golden Hills Drive frontages of the development. The Xenia Avenue Advisory Committee is reviewing installation of additional sidewalks along Laurel Avenue and Turner's Crossroad. The City reserves the right to require additional sidewalk construction based upon the recommendations of the Advisory Committee and the . City Council. \\GV _FS 1 \SYS\GROUPS\ENG\ WORD\JEFF\Developments\UnitedProperties\PrelimReview.doc . . . PRELIMINARY GRADING AND EROSION CONTROL PLAN: 1) This proposed project is within the Sweeney Lake district of the Bassett Creek watershed. The project will also be subject to the requirements of the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission (BCWMC) Water Quality Policy. Therefore, a permit from the BCWMC will be required prior to beginning any work on site. '. 2) The proposed Xenia Avenue Extension project includes construction of a regional storm water pond that will serve this development. When constructed the pond will satisfy the BCWMC water quality and quantity requirements for the site. However, the developers have indicated that they would like to proceed with this project prior to City Council's review and approval of the Xenia Avenue project. In order to meet the developer's schedule, the plans submitted for review include water quality and rate control ponding on-site. 3) The calculations submitted the developer's engineer indicate that the rate control requirements can be met as proposed. In addition, water quality requirements for the majority of the site are met with the on-site pond. However, elevation constraints of the storm sewer adjacent to the site make draining the entire site through the proposed pond impossible. In order to provide some water quality treatment the developer has proposed installing a "Stormceptor", or similar device, in the northwest portion of the site. A "Stormceptor" is a manhole structure that effectively removes solids and floatable materials from storm water runoff. However, "Stormceptors" and similar devices have not proven to be effective at removing phosphorus (20-30% removal) from runoff when compared to a storm water pond (60-70% removal). Given the physical constraints on site, installation of the "Stormceptor" device is viewed as an acceptable measure for water quality treatment rather than discharging this portion of the site directly into the storm sewer system without any water quality treatment. 4) Installation of the "Stormceptor" will be required unless the proposed pond associated with the Xenia Avenue extension is approved by the City Council and the BCWMC prior to construction of the structure. The proposed storm sewer in the northwest corner of the site would then connect directly into the existing storm sewer, with water quality treatment provided in the Xenia Avenue pond. Staff has reviewed the proposed plan under this scenario and finds it acceptable as submitted. .. 5) The grading plan indicates construction of a landscape berm within the right-of-way for the proposed cul-de-sac on Turner's Crossroad. This berm must be kept out of the Turner's Crossroad right-of-way. 6) The developer should attempt to further maximize the distance between the inlet and outlet of the proposed pond to prevent short-circuiting. 7) Riprap must be shown on the storm sewer discharge into the pond. \\GV _FS 1 \sYS\GROUPS\ENG\ WORD\IEFF\Developments\UnitedProperties\PrelimReview.doc 8) A note must be added to this plan discussing sweeping of tracked materials off of . adjacent streets. The developer must sweep at least once a day, or more often as directed by the City. Should the developers contractor fail to perform ordered sweeping within 24 hours of receiving and order, the City reserves the right to perform the street cleaning and bill all associated costs to the contractor. Engineering staff recommends approval of the proposed P.U.D. #81, Golden Hills Office Development subject to the contents of this review. The developer should address the comments contained in this memo in the next plan submittal. . C: Jeannine Clancy, Director of Public Works Gary Johnson, Building Official . .. . \\GV]S 1 \SYS\GROUPS\ENG\ WORD\JEFF\Developments\UnitedProperties\PrelimReview.doc . . . .. DATE: November 17,1998 TO: Mark Grimes, Director of Planning and Development FROM: Gary F. Johnson, Building Official SUBJECT: Review of Preliminary Plans of Golden Valley Office Center at Turners Crossroad and Golden Hills Drive (address is yet to be determined). (Note: 800 Turner's Crossroad cannot be used) Must submit application for Board of Building Review. Hydrant locations must be approved before issuance of building permit. P.1. V. required. Building must be built to the '97 V.F.C., '97 V.B.C., '94 V.M.C. and the MN State Plumbing Code. Signage shall be to the City Ordinance. Plans must be submitted to the Metropolitan Waste Commission to determine SAC units before issuance of permit. List of special inspectors must be submitted to the City before issuance of permit. Submit a code analysis when applying for a permit. .. Corridor must continue to both qualifying enclosed stairs on all typical floor plans. . . . MEMORANDUM . . DATE: TO: FROM: RE: December 8, 1998 Golden Valley Planning Commission Mark W. Grimes, Director of Planning and Development Informal Public Hearing - Amendment (No.1) to the Preliminary Design Plan for Room and Board, P.U.D. No. 79, (4600.4650, and 4680 Olson Memorial Highway) -- John and Martha Gabbert, Applicants . . . BACKGROUND Room and Board (R & B), represented by architect Daryl Fortier, has requested an amendment to PUD No. 79. This amendment would allow for the construdion of office and warehouse space to be added to their headquarters at 4600 Olson Memorial Highway. As you will recall, R & B was before the Planning Commission and City Council earlier in 1998. In fad, the PUD permit for PUD No. 79 was given final approval by the City Council on September 1, 1998. This permit allows R & B to use the property for office, warehouse and outlet store space. The PUD permit also permits the entire site to be consolidated into one lot. There is currently 165,000 sq.ft. of building space on the site in what were three buildings that have been physically connected. The proposal is to add 56,300 sq.ft. of warehouse space onto the rear of the old 4650 Olson Memorial Highway building and to add 13,500 sq.ft. of office space between the 4650 and 4600 Olson Memorial Highway buildings. Along with the additional 69,700 sq.ft. of building space, R & 8 will provide on-site ponding for both water quality and quantity purposes and parking. At the time the Preliminary Design Plan was reviewed by the Planning Commission, R & 8 did submit a future development plan for the property. This plan did indicate that there was a plan for additional warehouse and office space. However, the plans at that time were not definite so they could not be included in the original PUD permit. The R & 8 PUD was determined to be consistent with both the City's Comprehensive Plan Map and Zoning Map as part of the approval of PUD No. 79 in September 1998. The additions that are proposed by R & B to the site remain consistent with the Industrial orientation of the area. There are two stages of approval for all PUD proposals, including amendments to an existing PUD. This is the first, or Preliminary Design Plan stage. The purpose of this state is two-fold: to give broad concept approval of the proposal, and to call out issues that must be addressed in detail as the proposal moves ahead to the General Plan stage. Preliminary Plan approval does not guarantee that a . proposal will become reality. It gives an applicant some assurance of being on the right track and some guidance in how to proceed. In the case of the Planning Commission in particular, the limitations of Preliminary Plan approval are clearly laid out. CC Sec. 11.55, Subd. 6D provides that: The Planning Commission's consideration of the application shall be limited to a determination of whether the application constitutes an '. . appropriate land use under the general principals and standards adhered to in the City and, if necessary, its report shall include recommended changes in the land use planned by the applicant so as to conform the application or recommend approval subject to certain conditions or modifications. . SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL The existing R & B PUD No. 79 is located on a site that is approximately 16.5 acres in area. (When the Planning Commission earlier this year recommended the PUD for approval, the site was 12.7 acres in area. It was determined prior to the filing of the final plat that R & B actually owns the 4 acres to the north of the 4600 and 4650 buildings. This property is encumbered by an easement to the railroad. It was included in the PUD plat because the parcel could not be left by itself.) The existing PUD permit allows R & B to use the site and buildings for office, warehouse and outlet sales purposes. There is a total of 165,000 sq.ft. of building space on the site. About 152,000 sq.ft. is warehouse or outlet sales with the remainder being office space. The site currently has 247 parking spaces. However, the approved site plan indicates that up to 586 spaces can be accommodated on the site. Therefore, there are 360 "proof of parking" spaces. R & B believes that the 247 spaces are more than adequate for their needs due to the small number of warehouse employees. The amended PUD would allow the about 69,000 sq.ft. of additional single story building space on the site. About 56,300 sq.ft. would beiwarehouse and 13,400 sq.ft. would be for offices. This is illustrated on the attached site plan prepared by Fortier and Associates and dated 9/8/98 (Sheet A-1). The total building area for the site, after the amended PUD would be approved, is approximately 235,000 sq.ft. broken down as follows: Warehouse - 208,000 sq.ft.; Office _ 30,000 sq.ft.; and Outlet sales - 20,000 sq.ft. The additional 69,000 sq.ft. of space was discussed with R & B at the time the preliminary design plan was discussed for the original PUD. Mr. Fortier indicated to the.City that it would be likely that R & B would return to the City soon to amend the PUD for more space. The current plan is similar to the plan submitted to the Planning Commission in early 1998 showing the next phase of development for the site. Staff believes that the proposal makes sense from a land use point of view. The added space to the campus is needed for the company's growth. The site appears to be large enough to handle the expansion with one exception _ parking. This was also discussed with the original PUD when R & B was allowed to show 360 "Proof of parking" spaces. The applicant believes that the 247 spaces on the site handle the demand. Experience shows the City that the 247 spaces, with the existing site, are more than adequate to meet their needs. It seems very unlikely that any of the "proof of parking" spaces would have to be . 2 . built. With the proposed 69,000 sq.ft. of new space, R & 8 would like to have a total of 220 spaces serve the new, fully developed site with 235,000 sq.ft. of building area. They are proposing to provide 180 "proof of parking" spaces as shown on the Sheet A-2 (Parking Assessment). This "proof of parking" area is indicated north of the cell tower site, north and east of the 4600 building, and in front of the 4650 and 4680 building. . " Mr. Fortier has written a letter to me dated September 21, 1998, which explains their request for fewer parking spaces. He argues that the high rack warehouse storage requires few parking spaces due to the few employees that are needed to operate the warehouse. He states in the letter that R & 8 believe that the 400 parking spaces would be more than adequate when the building is sold due to the nature of the warehouse space. They believe that a future user would use the warehouse space in a similar manner. He also submitted a comparison of Golden Valley parking requirements with other surrounding communities. This comparison indicates that the Golden Valley's parking requirement for warehouse space is quite high. Mr. Fortier indicates that there will be 150 persons working on the premises. The 220 spaces would be more than adequate to handle the employee and visitor load. During the weekend when there are outlet sales, the majority of the employees are not working so there is more than adequate parking for customers. City Engineer Oliver has reviewed the plans for on-site ponding for water quality and quantity purposes. His memo is attached. The proposed pond is located on the north end of the site on the property where there is an easement to the railroad. The owner has indicated that the railroad will permit the pond over this easement. The City will need to see proof of this permission to allow the pond on the railroad easement. Mr. Oliver has given preliminary approval to the storm water plan. Additional details will have to be provided prior to final approval of the amended PUD. There is a slight change in the location of the some of the parking due to the new storm water pond location. The original site plan indicated that there was parking at the north end of the site adjacent to the railroad property. R & 8 is now proposing that the storm water pond be in this location which eliminates some parking. This appears to be a good place for the pond due to the elevation of the area. Access to and around the site appears to be adequate. The fire lane around the building will be improved as required by the Fire Chief. (The original PUD permit stated that the fire lane should have been paved by November 1998. This has not been done due to requirements of the watershed district. The fire lane will be paved as soon as adequate area for ponding on the site is established.) . .. ELIGIBILITY OF APPLICATIONS PUD's are regulated under City Code Sec. 11.55. Four subdivisions of that section come into play when screening PUD applications for eligibility. Each is discussed below. After considering the proposed R & 8 application for a PUD amendment in view of all four subdivision, staff finds the proposal is eligible as a PUD amendment and may enter the Preliminary Plan stage of application. . 3 . PUD Definition PUD's are defined in CC Sec. 11.55, Subd. 2. The proposed amendment clearly meets the terms of Subd. 2.(A)(1 and 2), which allows PUD's consisting of developments having two or more principal uses on a single parcel of land or two or more principal structures on a single parcel of land. The PUD has two separate bUildings on one lot. Also, the outlet sales, office, warehousing, and __ design studios constitute multiple uses on one lot. . PUD Purpose and Intent Applications must also meet the general purpose and intent of PUD's as set out in CC Sec. 11.55, Subd. 1. This states the PUD process is designed for use in situations "where designation of a single use zoning district or application of standard zoning provisions are too rigid for practical application." In this case, the use of this property for a permanent retail outlet store is not permitted in the Industrial Zoning District. The other uses that exist or are proposed by R & 8 are permitted uses in the Zoning District. Standards and Criteria for PUD's City Code establishes basic requirements for different types of PUD's in Sec. 11.55, Subd. 5. Industrial and business uses are covered in Subd. 5(C.). The list is as follows with staff comment: 1. The tract shall have not less than 100 feet of frontage on a public street _ - This development has over 300 feet of frontage along the OMH north frontage road. 2. The development must be served by public utilities and fire hydrants as approved by City staff -- This property is already properly served. The Engineering Department and Fire Department recommended approval of the site as part of the original PUD. The Fire Department has requested that the fire lane along the north and east side of the 4600 building be paved after approval by the watershed district. 3. The surface drainage system shall be constructed according to plans approved by the City Engineer - (Please refer to the attached memo from City Engineer Jeff Oliver.) 4. The entire site will be utilized for the PUD -- R & 8 intends to utilize the entire site for the PUD. 5. The off-street parking spaces shall be painted on the surfaced area according to a plan approved by the City Council - The General Plan will indicate the location of all parking spaces. These spaces Will be properly marked. 6. Provisions shall be made for off-street loading and not interfere. with other designated uses - The plan indicates that there are 15 loading docks provided. This exceeds the code requirement. The loading docks appear to be in locations that do not interfere with other activities on site. Loading docks are an important part of this PUD since this is primarily a warehouse that accepts and makes deliveries. At the current time, there are 8 loading docks on site, while 12 are required. . 4 . 7. Private roadways in the project shall be constructed according to a plan approved by the City Engineer as to type anQ location - The City Engineer will review all plans to insure that they are built to a sufficient standard. This is particularly important because of anticipated truck traffic throughout the site. The City also wants a priv~te road system that can accept large emergency vehicles. 8. Landscaping shall be provided according to a plan to be approved by the City Council -- A landscape plan must be provided as part of the General Plan of approval. There is currently landscaping on the site. This landscaping will remain except where there would be new buildings. A landscape plan is required with the General Plan of Development for all future stages. This landscape plan will also have to be approved by the Building Board of Review. .. Completeness of Application The final screening of any PUD application for eligibility purposes is based on CC Sec. 11.55, Subd. 6(A), which establishes the various components that must be submitted as part of the Preliminary Plan stage. Staff believes that all components are suitably complete. . PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS The types of issues that come up in connection with PUD applications can vary based on the PUD type and specific characteristics of eaCh PUD. In this case staff has identified several areas of concern that should be considered. These areas are addressed in the following paragraphs: . Zonina The "Purpose and Intent" paragraph of the City's PUD requirements makes it clear that a major intent of the PUD process is to allow design flexibility by permitting variances for uses, setbacks, height, parking other regulations. In the case of the R & B proposal, the zoning of the property is Industrial. The uses proposed by the amendment are permitted uses within the industrial Zoning District. The original PUD permit allows the operation of the outlet store on weekends only. The Industrial section of the Zoning Code requires that no more than 50% of the site may be covered with building. After this amendment is approved, 42% of the lot would be covered with buildings. In general, the front and side yard setbacks appear to be maintained with the exception of the west property line where the existing curb appears to be 7 or 8 ft. from the property line rather than the required 10 ft. This "variance" was accepted as part of the original PUD. The proposed building additions will each exceed building setback requirements for the Industrial zoning district. All new parking and driveway areas shall be paved and have concrete curb and gutter. Staff will continue to recommend that when existing parking lots that do not have curb and gutter are upgraded the upgrading shall include concrete curb and gutter. 5 . The proposed development will have a total of 235,OOO-sq. ft. of building space. Based on current City requirement of 1 space for each 250-sq. ft. of office space and 1 space for each 500-sq. ft. of warehouse space, a total of 539 spaces are required. R & B is proposing 400 spaces (220 built and 180 "proof of parking"). Therefore, the site will be short a total of 139 spaces. (See Sheet A-2) R & B has submitted information indicating that they believe that the City's parking requirement is excessive for their specific development. With the additional .' . building space on the site, R & B could only meet the parking requirements with expensive structured parking. Enaineerina/Construction Issues The City Engineer has prepared the attached memo for your review. City Engineer Oliver agrees with the storm water management concept plan submitted by the engineer for R & B. He will have to see greater detail and the plan must be submitted to the Bassett Creek Water Management Organization (watershed) for final approval. The Building Departments has not yet reviewed the plans for expansion. When the building plans get more specific, the plans will be sent to that department for review and comment. R & B will be responsible for the construction of a paved fire road with concrete curb and gutter around the perimeter of the site as shown on the site plan. This road must be completed in a timely manner and in conformance with City and watershed district approval. . .' STAFF RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the Preliminary Design Plan for the first amendment to Room and Board, PUD No. 79 subject to the following recommendations: 1. All requirements of the PUD Permit for PUD No. 79 remain in full force except as noted in these recommendations. 2. The site plan prepared by Fortier and Associates, marked plan sheet A-1 and dated 9/8/98 be made a part of this plan and replace the site plan approved as part of the original PUD. 3. As indicated on the Parking Assessment plan sheet A-2 prepared by Fortier and Associates and dated 9/8/98, 220 parking spaces shall be constructed. There shall be 180 "proof of parking" spaces as outlined on this plan sheet. These spaces must be constructed if the Chief of Fire and Inspections spaces are needed to meet parking demand on the site determines it. 4. The fire lane around the site as indicated on the A-1 site plan shall be paved and have concrete curb and gutter. It shall be completed as soon as the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission and City Engineer give approval to its construction. 5. The storm water management system proposed for the site shall meet the requirements of the Bassett Creek Water Management Organization and the City Engineer. . 6 . . . Attachments: · Location Map · Narrative from Daryl Fortier dated September 21,1998 · Room and Board PUD Permit · Memo from Jeff Oliver dated December 9,1998 · Oversized plans .. . 7 . +- -oJ I I II ~ J a: -.. - ;;: J: 1:: o Z . ~.~ L~~~' , t ; -s.. ~~~ ; ~ 'G_ ~ o- j ....0. 'e ~'A ~ 0, C ! ! ~f 0 ~ ~ I .t\. : ~' -r'tlt-,- ^ ~ ." ~,#v.~ ~. ~ e,V <..~ ~i' O c1l ~e~ . ~ ~ ". O~ ~ ~ ~ 11(;.' ",0 (l" ~ ~'" ~oo ~~ , tL' ~ro "', ~',.~ ... '", I d ..,. ~"I. .,.... ..wt .. .t ~ J: C) ~ 0,. I ~ III & 10 '" . H r- I I I . "".IN ~ ":.f3. '\ .. '7' ... . ... .... ~ ~ ~ " .....,..... . -f Ji . ",N... .. , , September 21, 1998 - . Mr. Mark Grimes City of Golden Valley 7800 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley,.MN 55427 FORTIER & ASSOCIATES, INC. ARCHITECTURE PLANNING INTERIOR DESIG; .' . RE: Comm: ROOM & BOARD PUD AMENDMENT 98-16 Dear Mr. Grimes: As we previously mentioned, Room & Board is concerned about the off-street parking ratio required for warehousing. While we appreciate that parking need only be provided for actual need and the remaining parking may be designated "proof of parking" and may never be built, the land so utilized is considerable. When added to stonnwater ponding requirements, the developable building area is significantly reduced. . We believe the ratio in Golden Valley is very much in excess ofwhat Room & Board would ever require. Further, the requirements are well in excess of all surrounding communities (see attached worksheet). We would feel very comfortable accepting the average requirements of the surrounding communities as providing reasonable parking for this facility...even in the event of sale to new ownership. It is our believe. that warehousing utilizing racked storage will never generate the need for parking as per the current ordinance. Further, we do not believe additional parking is required for support spaces such as exercise, lunch and toilet rooms as the individuals using these spaces are already accommodated with appropriate parking based on their primary use of space. We are therefore seeking a variance to the parking requirements for warehousing from 1/500 sf. to 1/1500 sf. and no additional parking for support spaces. Please review and advise of any questions or need for additional information. . . . . _0,.. . .. -€~l~J~:'- ~-'_:~.-':-".- -. -.~. cc: Martha Gabbert . encl: Parking ratio worksheet 408 Turnpike Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55416 .(612) 593-1255 '~~~,J.~~:-"_ .:.~ -. . . September 21t 1998 ~ - FORTIER & ASSOCIATES, INC. ARCHITECTURE PLANNING INTERIOR DESIC TO: FROM: MARK GRIMES DARYL FORTIER RE: ROOM & BOARD PARKING STANDARDS . . As we can see, Golden Valleyts parking requirement is about twice the average surrounding community and greatly exceeds them all We therefore seek a variance to allow warehouse parking at a ratio of 1/1500. This would result in a total of 264 parking spaces and matches St Louis Park: and Crystal requirements. 408 Turnpike Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55416 (612) 593-1255 " . . . Room and Board PUD No. 79 Citv Council Aporoval: September 1, 1998 City of Golden Valley, Minnesota Use Permit for Planned Unit Development Project Name: Room and Board, P,U.D. No. 79 Location: 4600 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, Minnesota Legal Description: Room and Board Addition, PUD No. 79 Applicant: John and Martha Gabbert Address: 4600 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Owner: John and Martha Gabbert Address: 4600 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley, MN 55422 Zoning District: Industrial Permitted Uses: Development shalf be limited to office, warehouse and outlet retail sales in a manner outlined in this permit. Components: A. Land Use ComDonent: 1. Allowed uses within the three buildings at 4600, 4650, and 4680 Olson Memorial Highway are office, warehouse and outlet retail sales. The site plan prepared by Fortier and Associates, Inc. and dated 3/17/98 shalf become a part of this permit. 2. Outlet retail sales shalf be limited to the 4680 building and can occur only on Saturday and Sunday. The sales shalf be limited to overstock and "scratch and dent" items from Room and Board stores. During the remainder of the week, the 4680 building may only be used for warehouse purposes. 3. A final plat of the lot consolidation shalf be filed with the County. The plat must have "P.U.D. No. 79" in its title. Room and Board, PUD No. 79 . B. Construction 1 . A fire lane around the 4600 building must be paved with bituminous curb and gutter by November 1, 1998. When a future PUD amendment is approveq. or by September 1, 1999, the fire lane shall be constructed with concrete curb and gutter. Page Two 2. All signs must meet the requirements for the Industrial Zoning District. There will be no signs that refer to the outlet store other than a small sign on the door and a directional sign near the street. No sign indicating an outlet store may be visible from Olson Memorial Highway. 3. Additional parking may be required if there is more building added to the campus. No additional building is permitted with this PUD permit. The site plan, dated 3/17/98, indicates 586 parking spaces; 247 are now built. The applicant will need to construct additional parking if the City determines additional spaces are needed, up to 360 spaces. However, additional development on the campus that may be permitted with future PUD amendments may require additional parking. Any new parking areas shall be paved with concrete curb and gutter. 4. The applicant shall meet all requirements of the City's surface water management . plan prior to the construction of any new buildings or parking areas on the site. 5. Except as otherwise specified in the conditions of the General Plan approval, all phases of site development shall be subject to the standards, approvals, fees, and other requirements that would arise in connection with a similar project outside a PUD. 6. The uses on the site shall meet all applicable City, State and Federal standards. 7. Any new development or uses on the site shall require an amended PUD. c. Utilities and Gradina 1. Before grading or utility permits are issued, the developer shall provide the City with acceptable plans, information, and other submittals as identified by the City Engineer. '. . . . . . Room and Board, PUD No. 79 D. Circulation Comoonent: Page Three 1 Fire lanes shall be established and posted along the private road system as required by the Public Safety Department and in conformity with City Cod.e ~ection 9.12. It is hereby understood and agreed that this Use Permit is a part of the City Council approval granted on September 1, 1998. Any changes to the P.U.D. Permit for Room and Board, P.U.D. No. 79 shall require an amendment. Witness: V4V~ Witness: John and. Martha Gabbert _ ' Il./. I By: ~I'I} ~4'Z;1d/4 - ~'" Title: Cl&O/7eJ-5 Date: 9//?/9'7 CITY OF GOLDEN VALLEY By: ~p thvf~./ ary Anderson, Mayor Date: q ;).b q r2 Date: Witness: ~ ()eL By: Warning: this permit does not exempt you from all other City Code provisions, regulations and ordinances. . . . MEMORANDUM DATE: December 9,1998 TO: Mark Grimes Director of Planning and Development Jeff Oliver, P,E,.Jf/ City Engineer IJJ!) Engineering Review: Amendment to Preliminary Design Plan PUD #79, Room and Board FROM: SUBJECT: Engineering staff has reviewed the plans for the above-referenced development proposal. This proposed PUD amendment consists of expanding the warehouse facility and expanding the parking lot at the existing Room and Board facility. The primary issue identified in the staff review is storm water management. The overall site development is subject to the Bassett Creek Water Management Commission (BCWMC) requirement for water quality and quantity. Approval by the Commission will be required prior to beginning any work on this site. The developer's engineer has submitted plans and computations for the proposed storm water management system on site. The proposed plans appear to meet the BCWMC requirements for pre and post development runoff. This site currently drains into the Sweeney Lake and Bassett Creek subdistricts. Runoff from the existing site currently receives no water quality treatment prior to discharge into the receiving water bodies. The proposed plans alter the future runoff direction from the site, and provide significant improvement to the water quality that is discharged. The area in the northwest corner of the site that is proposed to become parking lot currently drains into the Sweeney Lake drainage district. Because of constraints off-site, it is not possible to provide water quality treatment prior to discharge into Sweeney Lake at this time. Therefore, the developer has proposed extending storm sewer to th~ parking area and routing all runoff eastward into a proposed water quality pond. This change in the existing , drainage pattern will result in the runoff being routed into the Bassett Creek drainage . subdistrict, and will provide the required water quality treatment. The proposed water quality pond will treat runoff from the majority of the site. The exception to this is the runoff from the extreme northeast comer that cannot be drained into the water quality pond. It is proposed to allow this drainage area to leave the site with no water quality treatment, which will require a variance from the Water Quality Policy by the BCWMC. The majority of the drainage that the variance is being \\GV _FS l~YS\GROUPS\ENG\ WORD\JEFl'\DevcloplDCllts\Room6tBoard.doc . requested for is roof drainage, which typically poses minimal concern for water quality. In addition, because the proposed plans provide water quality treatment for the vast majority of a site that currently receives no pretreatment, the quality of the runoff leaving the site will be improved, even with the variance. The developer's engineer and staff have investigated numerous options for the site to avoid a variance request, but none are feasible. _ The plans indicate that the proposed pond location is within outlot A of the previously approved PUD #79 plat. This outlot appears to be owned. by the applicant, but there is also an easement across the entire outlot for railroad right-of-way. The applicant must provide written documentation from the railroad that pond construction will be permitted within the railroad right-of-way. This documentation must be provided to the City prior to approval of final plans for the site. It should be noted that the applicant has approached the City of Golden Valley about the possibility of developing a regional water quality pond to treat runoff from this property and other property in the area before it is discharged into Sweeney Lake. The developer and staff are exploring the feasibility of this proposal, which may be pursued in the future. . Based upon the overall increase in water quality treatment provided by this plan, staff feels that the BCWMC Water Quality Policy variance being requested by the applicant is reasonable. Therefore, staff is recommending support of this variance request. The following erosion control items need to be incorporated into the plans: · A gravel construction entrance must be shown on the plans. · Standard detail plates must be included for all erosion control measures being used on site. This includes silt fence, inlet protection, gravel construction entrances and any others used. · Information regarding the re-vegetation of the site must be provided. · A note must be added to the plan outlining requirements for removing tracked sediment off of adjacent roadways. All adjacent streets must be swept a minimum of one per day, and more frequently as needed, or as directed by the City of Golden Valley. Should the developer fail to perform any sweeping within 6 hours of being ordered by the City, the City will perform the required sweeping and bill the developer for all costs. Engineering staff recommends approval of the proposed amendment to PUD #79, , Room and Board, based upon the comments contained in this review. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. . C: Jeannine Clancy. Director of Public Works AI Lundstrom, City Forester Gary Johnson, Building Official \\GV _FS l\sYS\GROUPS\ENG\wORD\JEFP\Developments\ROOIIl&Board.doc