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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 02/06/2024 - Workshop APPROVED WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2024 CITY CENTER 5:00 – 6:25 PM, HERITAGE ROOMS 6:30 – 7:00 PM, COUNCIL CHAMBER CITY COUNCIL: Mayor Ron Case, Council Members Kathy Nelson, Mark Freiberg, PG Narayanan, and Lisa Toomey CITY STAFF: City Manager Rick Getschow, Police Chief Matt Sackett, Fire Chief Scott Gerber, Public Works Director Robert Ellis, Community Development Director Julie Klima, Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle, Administrative Services/HR Director Alecia Rose, Communications Manager Joyce Lorenz, City Attorney Maggie Neuville, and Recorder Sara Aschenbeck Workshop - Heritage Rooms I and II (5:30) I. MARSHALL FARM PROPERTY (9905 DELL ROAD) 5:30 – 5:50 p.m. Case asked the Council to provide feedback on the developer’s proposed project for the Marshall Farm property. The property is the largest undeveloped infill property in the City and is historically significant to many residents. Klima provided a background of the property. The property is currently zoned rural, typical for undeveloped properties. Any development on this property would require rezoning. It is guided for low density residential, R1 zoning. Low density residential allows detached single family homes. When the City last reviewed the Comprehensive Plan, Staff collaborated with housing focus groups and the community to provide input. Feedback included a need for single level maintenance free housing options, especially as a prerequisite to assisted living. Klima explained Staff provided input on density to the previous owners as they drafted a concept plan prior to the sale. The concept plan included 55 single family detached homes at a density of 1.8 units per acre, consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. The developer is proposing 15 single family detached homes on the north side of the property and four buildings comprised of 90 units on the south side of the property. The proposed density is 3.5 units per acre. The developer is requesting feedback from Council prior to allotting further time and investment. Kelsey Thompson, Lake West Development, introduced the proposal. Lake West Development considered factors including how to be considerate of existing neighbors who have grown accustomed to the current open view, how this development can preserve open green space, and how sustainability can be incorporated. The typical development maximizes hardcover and does not incorporate much open green space. The City’s comprehensive plan goals including providing life cycle housing comprised of higher density, one-level, maintenance free living. Combining these factors, the proposed project includes 80 percent open space, of which 21 acres City Council Workshop Minutes February 6, 2023 Page 2 are green space. The proposal emphasizes walkability, trail connectivity, and highlights the Minnesota River Valley Bluffs. 15 detached homes and 90 units of attached “villa” housing are proposed to achieve the high open space percentage. Narayanan asked Thompson to clarify the meaning of villa housing. Thompson stated villa homes are one-level. Nelson inquired how much the villa homes cost. Thompson answered $900 thousand. Nelson stated the price point is not affordable. Thompson provided further detail on the 90 units of attached “townhome flat” housing. These units are intended for empty nesters interested in remaining in the community in a maintenance- free home. The units are a hybrid between a condominium and a townhome with a semi-private entrance. Narayanan asked Thompson to provide more information on the entrances. Thomson clarified each entrance is shared by two units. Toomey asked if each unit is one-level. Thompson confirmed each unit is one-level. Toomey asked how much the townhomes will cost. Thompson answered $900 thousand. Toomey asked if this development is subject to the City’s affordable housing policy. Klima confirmed the affordable housing policy applies to the attached units, however developers have the option to pay a fee in lieu of providing affordable units. Narayanan asked why the attach units cost the same as the detached single family homes. Carl Fretham, Lake West Development, stated the attach units are designed with premium architecture and are overlooking the Minnesota River Valley Bluffs. Narayanan inquired how large the attached units are. Fretham answered between 1,400 and 2,200 square feet. Toomey asked how large the detached homes would be. Fretham stated approximately 2,000 square feet. Narayanan asked how many units would be grouped together. Fretham confirmed approximately 20 units per building. Nelson inquired about the doors and walkways to the units in the attached units image rendering. Thompson stated the image renderings needed to be updated. Nelson stated she is objectionable to the attached housing presented as townhomes when they more closely align with public expectations of condominiums or apartments. Most units will have one external wall for windows. Thompson stated the attached units are designed to mimic a single family home with pitched roof and quality materials. They are the same height of a typical single family home. It is more sustainable and energy efficient to build attached units. They are situated on the south side of the property over the bluffs to better preserve the current viewpoint of existing neighbors to the North. Attached units leave more open space available for community amenities such as a pool, clubhouse, pickleball court, and community gardens. There are multiple options for trail connectivity. The name Marshall Gardens is proposed to pay homage to Marshall Farms. Toomey asked if the Homeowners Association would pay for the community garden. Thompson answered it has not yet been determined. Case said the original home on the property cannot stay in its current location due to an upcoming Dell Road project. Fretham stated Lake West Development is open to keeping or relocating the existing home. City Council Workshop Minutes February 6, 2023 Page 3 Thompson shared a video rendering of the proposed development. Thompson stated the proposed density fits into this property’s guided density and asked for Council questions and feedback. Case asked the Councilmembers to focus specifically on high level concepts of the proposed plan. Toomey stated she liked the architecture and the community garden, but the attached housing should be referred to as “flats” in lieu of “townhome flats”. Narayanan stated he disliked the architecture and is concerned about the density. Freiberg said he had envisioned single family homes instead of condominiums. Nelson stated she thought the density is too high. The price range is also very high. The proposed attached housing is close to the bluffs in the renderings so more information would be needed to ensure safety. Case stated the Council has a duty to balance many conflicting goals simultaneously including sustainability, density, green energy, walkability, affordability, and preserving open space. One project cannot accomplish every goal as goals are often conflicting. A recent US Conference of Mayors housing session encouraged Cities to pursue a wide variety of housing types as they are all needed. Case stated although he did not originally like the concept plan, he does now at it accomplishes many goals. The viewpoints of existing neighbors would be preserved. This project includes open space, walkability, community gardens, and an architecturally beautiful design. A higher density is the trade off needed to achieve all these goals. Getschow encouraged the Council to request feedback of existing neighbors prior to the development application. The developer would also need to provide proper renderings. The ownership of the community gardens would need to be determined. Case asked the Council to consider how their ideal development differs from the proposed project and to consider the tradeoffs. Goals are often at odds with one another, such as affordability and preservation of open green space. Nelson stated she would like more solar energy. Freiberg stated he did not like the concept of the townhouse flats and was undecided on the proposed project. Narayanan liked the proposal including 80 percent green space but did not like the design. He stated he was undecided and had additional questions. Case requested the Council to consider the tradeoff between density and open green space. The Council thanked Thompson and Fretham for their time and proposal. II. COMMISSION WORK PLANS a. PLANNING COMMISSION 5:50 – 6:10 p.m. Andrew Pieper, Planning Commission (PC) Chair, summarized the Planning Commission charter and current membership. In 2023 the PC reviewed ten land use applications. Significant development projects include: • Baker Assisted Living – 105 multi-family units built in two phases, 11 affordable housing units, two EV parking stalls • Kinsley Townhomes – 42 townhome units including five affordable units • Two carwashes – Crew Carwash and Mr. Carwash City Council Workshop Minutes February 6, 2023 Page 4 • Aldevron – large biotechnology firm bringing a multitude of jobs to the City Pieper stated the PC reviewed three variance applications in 2023 and seven City Code and Comprehensive Plan amendment including the mixed-use and flex service zoning districts. Parking guidelines was a large focus. 2024 goals include reviewing development project applications, code amendments, and Aspire 2040 strategies. New commission members will be onboarded in 2024. Case stated his appreciation for all commission members. PC provides insightful comments during its development application review. Toomey asked how many vacancies PC will have. Getschow confirmed there are three PC members with expiring terms. All three members are applying for reappointment, in addition to several new applicants. Nelson stated the PC does a thorough review and provides thoughtful commentary. The Council thanked the PC for their time and dedication. b. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION 6:10 – 6:30 p.m. Steve Schumacher, Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) Chair, summarized the current HPC members and student members. In 2023 the HPC interviewed individuals regarding the original 1968 Comprehensive Plan. Katie Qualey was presented with the Heritage Preservation Award for her work at Smith Coffee House. The HPC completed many tours of historically significant locations including the Glen Lake Children’s Camp, the Eden Prairie Cemetery, the Holasek House. HPC also participated in the Citywide Open House and gave tours of the Dorenkemper house to the public during Harvest to Halloween. The HPC created a subcommittee structure to allow members to work on targeted projects of interest. Schumacher explained a recent area of HPC focus is prominently telling the story of Native Americans in the City, specifically at Red Rock and Birch Island documenting the Battle of Shakopee. Case noted this has historically been a sensitive topic with the need to respect descendants of those who fought in the battle. The City can tell the history of these battles from one perspective, but are missing valuable insight from indigenous people. Case encouraged the HPC to keep attempting to uncover indigenous perspectives of the battle. Schumacher summarized projects the HPC will focus on in 2024 including the Flying Red Horse plaza, mapping the remains of the Old Depot site, and protecting of the Old Mill Site. Case asked if the Old Mill Site is owned by the City. Schumacher confirmed it is owned by the City. Student members of HPC are working on outreach. Student member Sasha Allen is creating two video tours of historic places within the City for residents who have not visited in person. The HPC is exploring creating an app-based History Hunt where residents could follow clues to historic places throughout the City. The HPC is also applying for grants to assist in project funding. Case stated the heritage of our City separates us from surrounding areas. The Council thanked the HPC for their time. City Council Workshop Minutes February 6, 2023 Page 5 Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30) III. OPEN PODIUM IV. ADJOURNMENT