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08.b Draft minutes 10-05-2021 Planning Commission October 5, 2021 The Scandia Planning Commission held their regular monthly meeting on the above date with modifications. The meeting was conducted in-person at the Scandia Community Center and over an electronic platform. All participants who joined the meeting remotely could hear each other and contribute to discussions. Chair Travis Loeffler called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. The following were present: Commissioners Jon Engstrand, Jan Hogle (virtual over Zoom), Perry Rynders, and Chair Travis Loeffler. Absent: Commissioner Andrew Essling. Staff present: City Planner Evan Monson, City Administrator Ken Cammilleri, City Clerk Brenda Eklund. PUBLIC FORUM There were no public comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA, MINUTES Rynders, second by Engstrand, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried unanimously by those present. Rynders, second by Engstrand moved to approve the September 7, 2021 minutes as presented. Motion carried unanimously by those present. PUBLIC HEARING: PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) TO USE 6.28 ACRES IN THE SOUTHWEST PORTION OF LAND IN 14727 209TH STREET NORTH FOR A NEW ARTS AND HERITAGE CENTER; AND VARIANCES FROM REQUIRED WETLAND SETBACKS TO CONSTRUCT BUILDINGS AND IMPERVIOUS SURFACES FOR THE ARTS AND HERITAGE CENTER PROJECT. SCANDIA HERITAGE ALLIANCE AND CITY OF SCANDIA, APPLICANTS. PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-18, APPROVING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR PUD; AND PC RESOLUTION NO. 2021-19, APPROVING VARIANCES The Scandia Heritage Alliance (SHA) is proposing to rebuild the former Hilltop Water Tower Barn as the focal point of a new Arts and Heritage Center on property shared with the Scandia City Hall and Community Center at 14727 209th Street North, approximately 20.87 acres in size as combined with the adjacent property of 14849 Oakhill Road, the site of the t-ball field. The SHA has an agreement with the City to lease the southwest 6.28 acres of land where the south ballfield is currently located along Olinda Trail for the future proposed Arts and Heritage Center. The proposal is planned for phased development, to include an indoor stage, an outdoor amphitheater, a splash pad play area, wetland overlook and walking trails, and a summer café. The SHA proposes the site to host museum exhibits, art shows, music concerts, theater productions and cultural events. Planner Monson provided a summary of his staff report. The project requires variances from wetland and road setbacks for the structures and trails, and a Conditional Use Permit granting approval of a Planned Unit Development (PUD). Monson explained that PUDs are developments that have a unique design that may not be in accordance with the typical standards of the underlying zoning district and Development Code. A PUD would allow for additional principal October 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 2 of 6 structures and uses on a parcel. The Community/Senior Center is the principal structure, with the warming house and the cold storage shop also on the property. A PUD would allow for structures and improvements to have setbacks less than what is typically required. Monson’s report listed items from the Development Code which vary from current requirements, such as multiple structures on a single parcel of land and setbacks from roads and property lines of the structures. Administrator Cammilleri explained that the City is a co-applicant for the project’s PUD to clean up these inconsistencies with the code and bring the property into conformance. The staff report provided a listing of requested variances from the site’s Manage 1 wetland (75 feet required) for the arts center project. Parking Lot – 38 foot setback, 37 foot variance Amphitheater – 51.8 foot setback, 23.2 foot variance Water Tower Barn – 64.3 foot setback, 10.7 foot variance Bathroom Building – 68.3 foot setback, 6.7 foot variance Sidewalks/pathways along east side of site – setback varies Monson concluded with recommendations of approval for the PUD and variance requests, noting the findings and conditions as prepared in resolutions. Chair Loeffler opened the public hearing at 7:16 p.m. Randall Simonson, 14925 Oakhill Road, read comments from adjacent property owners Ray and Jan Richardson, 20703 Olinda Trail. The Richardson’s wrote: • it is an injustice to remove the existing ballfield • there is an amphitheater at William O’Brien State Park that they have never seen used • the center will compete with the Gammelgarden Museum which already promotes the area’s heritage and provides amenities in a natural setting of living history • it’s a bad idea to reconstruct a deteriorated old barn which invites lability to the City • Olinda Trail is a busy road and a safety concern for pedestrians • this project shouldn’t be exempt from setbacks from the wetlands • the ballfield should not be taken away from the community for a special interest group Randall Simonson spoke of his concerns and opposition to the project request: • noted that Mayor Maefsky is a member of the SHA Board. • Susan Rodsjo, chair of the Scandia Heritage Alliance, recently addressed the Lions Club with misleading statements that the Arts Center will be built, rather than as a proposal still needing approvals. • opposed to removing the ballfield • waste of money for what will be a poorly used facility • in conflict with the Gammelgarden Museum and will get in the way of its success • increased speeding along Olinda Trail will be dangerous to pedestrians • wetland impacts and diminished wildlife with the project at this site • noise impacts during events • it should be moved to the site of the Lions Pavilion • if approved, the SHA should promise that it will not be a tax burden to the citizens October 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 3 of 6 Chris and Lori Holton, Harris, MN, said they own property nearby and this will destroy their land. Mr. Holton said the man-made ditch which moves water through their property will disappear if this project moves forward. Ms. Holton said the option should be not to do this project. Mr. Simonson clarified that the Holton property absorbs water runoff from the wetlands to the west and funnels it to Mud and Sand lakes. A berm could be built to end this water flow. This is not the place to put a structure with a history of flooding problems; this site will attract even more problems. Sue Rodsjo, 21450 Pomroy Avenue and President of the SHA, addressed the speakers’ concerns: • A ballfield alternative exists at the Barton Johnson park, currently not utilized; owners of the park are supportive • Wetlands – SHA is working with the Washington Conservation District with a goal for the site to be a model of good care for wetlands and a gold standard for its preservation • Gammelgarden Museum provided a letter of support for the project and is partnering closely on its development; the Museum preserves the history of Swedish immigration, while the Arts Center will represent the next era of commerce; there will be joint programming on the whole history of Scandia • The development is not using any local tax dollars, rather being funded by donations and grants • A programming manager will be hired to organize the events, such as outdoor family movie nights, productions with local theatre groups, music similar to what the Gammelgarden hosts. • A crosswalk across Olinda Trail is proposed for safe pedestrian crossing to the Museum; a sidewalk and trails are proposed to keep pedestrians off the roadway. Peter Hilger, project architect, said he is volunteering his services to design this project because of his passion for maintaining heritage and the opportunity to preserve this unique structure. Multiple sites were evaluated with the preferred site being in the town center to serve as a city park and common area. The Lions Park is too far from the downtown center to be viable. There is potential to replace the existing ballfield to the Barton Johnson park within the Gammelgarden grounds. Much study went into this site, with development being contained within the existing fence line of the ballfield. An acoustical study was completed for the optimal placement of the amphitheater to best project sound away from neighboring properties. This arts center will be an asset to the community, and connected to the Community Center as a publicly accessible site. Raingardens will be installed to enhance water quality and minimize impacts. The amount of development proposed is low for a site this size. The variance for wetland setbacks is a small area, representing 2.1% of the area of the project and totaling 801 square feet. The encroachment of the existing ballfield is much greater. Mr. Hilger noted that page A004 of the project plans provides a breakdown of impervious surface area within the site. Bryan Knisley, civil engineer for the acoustical study, explained his recommendation to rotate the amphitheater for lessened sound readings to neighboring properties. The readings were under allowed decibels with the original design, but the final placement is optimal. October 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 4 of 6 John Herman, Scandia resident and SHA Board member, said he has a long history of historic preservation projects, and restoration of the Water Tower Barn is very possible with potential for a listing on the National Registry of Historic Structures. Being part of the Community Center site is very desirable to attract visitors, and noted the Gateway Trail extension is getting closer to reality to bring in bicyclists to also foster businesses. There is synergy with the Gammelgarden Museum and the arts center will be a positive project for the city. There were no other comments and Chair Loeffler closed the hearing at 8:12 p.m. Commissioner Rynders asked to clarify that the Watershed is aware of the project but provided no comments for this meeting. Staff explained that the SHA is working with the Watershed and Washington Conservation District (WCD) and neither agency has raised any objections. Rynders asked if certain events can be restricted. Cammilleri said that limits can be set for hours of operation and noise levels, and the center will be subject to the parks ordinance standards. Reasonable conditions can be placed on the permit for principal uses on the property. Cammilleri further stated that the City will retain ownership of the property, with the City officially supporting the proposal. The PUD is a path of direction to address existing non-conformities, and this coincides with the SHA project. Lynne Moratzka, Gammelgarden Museum Director, joined the meeting virtually to answer questions about the ballfield in Barton Johnson Park. Elim Church owns the property, including the adjacent cemetery land, all operating with separate funding. Moratzka was unaware of any maintenance agreements for the ballfield at this time. Commissioner Hogle stated that she is enthusiastic for this project and sees it as complimentary to the Museum. She would defer to the WCD for their opinion on encroachment into the wetland setback, saying she is comfortable with the condition that watershed and wetlands permits are needed. Regarding the statements of water flow made in the public hearing, Cammilleri stated that the described property is downstream and unrelated to the review of this project. The Watershed has research on water issues and has determined no material change to the level of water flow. There have been discussions on stormwater related issues, and the basin collects from many sources to the west, with flow having no bearing on this project. Commissioners Rynders and Loeffler said the variance request into the wetland setback could have impacts and would like confirmation that this may or may not be adverse. Mr. Hilger said they submitted a stormwater management plan as a regulatory requirement of the project, and rules must diminish runoff from the property as a condition to get Watershed approval. The Watershed supports that this is a functional, workable site for the proposed development. October 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 5 of 6 Mr. Herman said that this current site has more impervious surface with the compacted ballfield area than the new project will have. The plan will create a basin to dramatically reduce runoff and send less water downstream, and will not adversely affect wetlands. Chair Loeffler asked about long-term funding. Mr. Herman explained that all on-going costs will be paid by the non-profit operator as required by the state grant program. This is reflected in the Redevelopment Agreement the SHA has with the City. The walkway and trails that are outside of the project area are not included, but will be maintained by the City. Chair Loeffler said he is in favor of the project and the variance from the road setback, but concerned about encroachment into the wetland setback; his focus is on protecting wetlands. Planner Monson reviewed the criteria for approving a CUP /PUD and variances with related findings of approval. Commissioner Rynders asked about water and septic connections. Administrator Cammilleri explained that the site is in a location that could be served by existing infrastructure on the city’s well and Uptown Sewer, with the applicants and City Engineer researching potential connections. Cammilleri encouraged a reasonable condition be added to address this issue. Commissioner Rynders said he is comfortable with the layout of the site and the variance requests. Commissioner Engstrand expressed his agreement. Commissioner Hogle also agreed, saying the Watershed and WCD appear to be okay with the project. Mr. Hilger said that he would address the project area outside the setbacks. This area incorporates the future arts center which will impact the economic viability of the center. The sidewalks serve a public purpose on this site, and a variance is necessary due to the large setback requirement from Olinda Trail. Administrator Cammilleri recommended strengthening condition #6 of the PUD resolution to indicate demonstration of appropriate permission to parking allowances with the City, Gammelgarden and Elim Church to meet peak parking needs. Staff advised that the Commission first act on the variance request, presented in a resolution with findings and conditions. Rynders, second by Hogle, moved to approve PC Resolution No. 2021-19, Approving Variances for a Planned Unit Development Located at Parcel ID 23.032.20.21.0002. The motion carried 3-1 by roll call vote, with Loeffler opposed. Engstrand, second by Rynders, moved to approve PC Resolution No, 2021-18, Approving a Conditional Use Permit for a Planned Unit Development Located at Parcel ID 23.032.20.21.0002 with the following amendments to the list of conditions: • Approval of a Washington County Right-of-Way permit • Approval from the Washington Conservation District • Approval of a land alteration/grading permit from the City Engineer October 5, 2021 Scandia Planning Commission Page 6 of 6 • Approval of plans for water and septic system utilities The motion carried 4-0 by roll call vote. Chair Loeffler recommended the City Council find an alternative site to replace the community ballfield. The recommendations to approve the Planned Unit Development and Variances for the future Water Tower Barn Project will be presented to the City Council at their meeting on October 19, 2021. ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS The next meeting will be on November 2, 2021. Solar ordinance amendments, development code updates, and a pending variance are in the works for agenda items. City Council updates from September 21, 2021 Planner Monson reported that the Variance for an addition at 12959 Mayberry Trail was not acted on due to the applicant’s statement to amend his request. This application may return to the Planning Commission at a future meeting. The recommendation to deny the Variance for an addition at 19211 Meadowridge Lane was adopted, with the Council concluding that the applicants created the practical difficulty by building their home up against the setback of the rear property line. The Variances to tear down and replace a cabin at 16963 197th Street was withdrawn by the applicants, as they have sold the property and variances are not transferable. ADJOURNMENT Rynders, second by Engstrand, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Brenda Eklund City Clerk