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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council - 04/16/2024 - Workshop APPROVED WORKSHOP MINUTES CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP & OPEN PODIUM TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 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) Getschow stated Lake West Development will give an update of work completed since the February workshop presentation. Klima explained the developer held a neighborhood meeting last week. A traffic study was also completed. Ellis explained the City’s Engineering team manages traffic studies. The current proposal is expected to generate 860 trips in and out of the development daily. 67 vehicles are expected to enter or leave the development in the morning peak hour, and 79 vehicles are expected to enter or leave in the evening peak hour. For comparison, if the development were solely single family homes there would be 18 fewer trips in both the morning and evening peak hours. These findings have an almost immaterial traffic impact on the existing roadways and lead to no traffic or safety concerns. Kelsey Thompson, Lake West Development Director of Development, explained in addition to a neighborhood meeting and a traffic study, line of sight drawings, floor plans, and preliminary engineering drawings were also completed. 265 households in a 500 foot buffer around the property received a mailed notice for the neighborhood meeting. At least 26 households attended and there was meaningful discussion. Case asked if the traffic study considered this development will be geared towards empty nesters, who generate fewer traffic trips than a family with children. Ellis stated the traffic study is not that granular but was completed utilizing guidance from the Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Manual. Curt Fretham, Lake West Development CEO, noted the largest neighborhood concern was traffic, however the number of trips generated per the traffic study may be overstated due to the targeted demographic. Ellis noted the City must be conservative with number of trips generated as anyone can move into this development. Case stated the City City Council Workshop Minutes April 16, 2024 Page 2 should research previous developments marketed toward empty nesters to confirm how many units were purchased by the intended demographic. Case stated drivers will often change their route due to steep slopes, road width, and poor sightlines. He asked if the traffic study considers human nature. Ellis stated the traffic study attempts to estimate peoples origins and destinations, however it cannot account for human nature. Case asked if the City has traffic counts for Dell Road. Ellis confirmed the City does have traffic counts for Dell Road. Nelson asked if the trips generated include Amazon deliveries. Ellis confirmed the trips generated are inclusive of Amazon deliveries. Case reiterated traffic generated by the proposed development would be similar to a development of solely single family homes. Narayanan added more individuals are working from home post COVID. Thompson stated one neighbor was concerned with how close the townhomes were to their property. Another neighbor shared density concerns. Neighbors had concerns over the location of the pickleball court. Getschow noted City staff will likely have recommendations on location of the pickleball court. Freiberg asked if any neighbors voiced the parcel should not be developed. Fretham stated neighbors did not communicate the parcel should not be developed. Toomey asked if Lake West Development has developed a similar project with both single family homes and attached townhome flats. Fretham answered this development is the first of its kind. Thompson summarized qualities of the project neighbors were in favor of. Neighbors were supportive of the preserved green space abutting their properties, and new amenities such as walking trails. Case asked if there was any negative sentiment regarding the three story townhome flat buildings. Fretham stated one neighbor was initially opposed, but other neighbors appreciated the attached housing leaving room for open space and green initiatives. Case asked if neighbors were favorable at a high level. Fretham stated neighbors were generally in favor of the project at a high level. Case asked Klima to share her reflections of the neighborhood meeting. Klima noted the development team facilitated a two-way conversation. The neighborhood asked many questions including if amenities were only available for development residents, if trees are to be preserved, and if there is enough visitor parking. Residents had questions on the timeline and process, and when the Dell Road street project would occur. A resident shared that the attached townhome flats looked too much like an apartment building. There was confusion regarding what a villa home is, and if the properties were purchased or rented. Fretham added residents approved once they understood the villa homes were to be purchased. Klima stated at the end of the meeting residents expressed the development was on the right track by preserving open space and creating housing needed by an aging population. All attendees were concerned about traffic. Narayanan asked if the City sends a follow up letter to attendees answering frequently asked questions. Klima stated there were handouts available for attendees at the neighborhood meeting. If the project moves forward to an application, those documents will be available of the City’s City Council Workshop Minutes April 16, 2024 Page 3 online development projects map. Thompson added she emailed a copy of the project narrative to all neighbors who signed in at the neighborhood meeting. Nelson asked where guest parking is located. Thompson stated each building is required by code to have 180 parking stalls. 200 underground parking stalls are planned, leaving 20 extra parking stalls per building. There is additional visitor parking above ground. Nelson stated more guest parking is needed for days such as Thanksgiving. Case asked how many outside parking stalls are planned. Thompson answered there will be approximately 60 outside parking stalls for guests. Toomey asked if the single family homes will have a two-car garage. Fretham answered all single family homes will have either a two- or three-car garage. Case asked if the road will be wide enough for two parking lanes. Ellis stated the City expects the road will be wide enough for two parking lanes. Thompson presented line of sight drawings for the Council. Fretham noted the development is far from existing neighbors. Nelson asked how many levels the townhome flats are. Thompson stated the townhome flat buildings are three levels, individual units are one level. Nelson asked the developer to elaborate on the elevators. Thompson noted one elevator will service six units, two units on each story. The entrances are on grade without steps and are ADA accessible. Thompson presented preliminary engineering drawings and noted the planned stormwater pond is larger than expected need. Case asked if there are any berming walls needed. Fretham confirmed the proposal is on grade and does not need a berming wall. Narayanan asked if the developer would install a privacy fence or plant trees strategically to alleviate concerns of the neighbor closest to the development. Fretham stated the development team is meeting with the neighbor next week to discuss possibilities. Thompson explained the developer is planning discussions with the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and other University of Minnesota entities over ownership of the community garden and open green space. Case asked if the tree line to the North is on Marshall Farm property. Fretham confirmed that tree line is on Marshall Farm property. Case asked if the developer is planning to keep the tree line. Fretham confirmed the developer is planning to keep the tree line. Thompson added there is an elevation change from existing neighbors to the north and the development property, which helps with sight line disruption. Fretham stated the development team is exploring installing solar panels on the roof. Narayanan asked if the solar panels cost would be added to the cost of each townhome flat unit. Fretham confirmed the cost of the solar panels would be included as a one time Homeowner Association cost. Nelson stated she is agreeable to adding solar, it would likely cover common area energy needs. Case asked the Council if they generally approve or disapprove of the project at a high level. Getschow added a comprehensive plan amendment would be needed for this project, which requires a supermajority vote to approve. Narayanan asked if the City is alright with the amount of traffic trips generated. Ellis confirmed there are no traffic issues under any scenario. The City Council Workshop Minutes April 16, 2024 Page 4 difference between traffic trips generated for the proposed project and 55 single family houses is virtually unnoticeable. Narayanan stated the underground parking and semi-private elevators are a nice amenity for seniors, and the project does have its positives. The pickleball location is still an area of concern. Narayanan asked if it is possible for the developer to propose developing the green space in the future. Getschow stated the green space would likely be designated as a conservation area. Klima added the open space would be protected and is not to be developed. Toomey stated she is okay with the project, but asked if the outside of the villa homes can be customized and stated she dislikes when every home in a development looks identical. Freiberg stated the developer did their due diligence and noted he is alright with the project. Case stated he is alright with the project moving forward as proposed. Nelson stated the townhome flats are a new type of housing. Nelson asked if the developer must supply affordable units and noted the price per unit is high. Klima stated the City’s inclusionary housing policy applies to the 90 units of attached townhome flat housing but does not apply to the single family homes. The developer can choose to pay a fee in lieu of supplying affordable units. The Council thanked Lake West Development for their time. Open Podium - Council Chamber (6:30) II. OPEN PODIUM a. ALICE WILLIAMS AND EVIE WILSFORD, EDEN BROOK CONSERVATION AREA TRASH RECEPTACLES Williams and Wilsford stated they would like to prevent litter in the Eden Brook Conservation Area. They proposed adding an informational sign, trash cans, and bags for pet waste. Case encouraged Williams and Wilsford to pursue this project, and connected them with Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director, to ideate further. III. ADJOURNMENT