Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Good evening. I'll now call our meeting to order. Our first order of business is to adopt the agenda for tonight's meeting. Commissioners, is there a motion to adopt the final agenda? I'll make a motion to adopt the final agenda. Thank you. Commissioner Ram, is there a second? Second. Shower. All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Thank you. Motion carries. Our next order of business is to adopt the minutes from our July 15, 2025 planning commission meeting. Commissioners, is there a motion to approve those minutes? Motion to approve the minutes. Thank you, Mallerie. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Mr. Bean. All those in favor?

I. Any opposed? Thank you. The motion carries. We'll now move on to our discussion items. Item 3.1, proposed zoning co code article 3 discussion. Um, this is our first and only discussion item for tonight. Um, I'll turn it over to Travis Briarley for our staff presentation. But before I do, I remind us again, our focus is is land use planning and public policy input. So, we'll stay at a high level and uh hopefully we can keep the discussion substantive around the points that Travis will guide us through. Travis, go ahead.

Good evening, chair and commissioners. Uh tonight is the next part of article 3 um that we'll be taking a look at. This is going to focus specifically on the standards for business districts. Um just a quick background, we're going through this process of reviewing the entire city code uh not only for modernization, but uh we recognize that there were some shortfalls in our current code uh resulting in significant comments and as well as code changes that we had to do last year um just to get some modernizations, some consistency with today's standards. Um the goals for this, we always want to be transparent. uh staff uh is going to make sure that we are available for questions and comments uh from commissioners uh during and after meetings, before meetings, whenever, as well as residents. Um all our contact information is on the website. This is a flexible process. It's there's a lot of stuff to it. It's complicated. Uh and it can get way more complicated if we wanted to, but we want to say flexible. Uh this is also being done in conjunction with reviewing the city's municipal code. The zoning code and the municipal code, they need to line up with each other and work in harmony. So, there's a double review going on with that. Um, and then the ultimate goal is to recodify uh next year. Um, probably late summer is what we're kind of looking at. Um, and bring everything back into one book. Uh, the process is is pretty straightforward. Uh, we're going to review and propose language for the zoning code. Um, it's a full review of the zoning code. Uh, the proposed code is about 200 pages in length. Uh, as it sits right now. Uh, we're going to move zoning or there's some zoning ordinances that need to go to the municipal code, vice versa. We're going to go ahead and we're going to track all the changes. Um, and staff will make sure we keep a master copy with all the comments, changes, red line, and things like that. Uh, like I said, tonight we're looking at article three for the uh district regulations in the business districts.

Sorry, I got to do a note. Um and then next and then you can see how everything kind of lays out. Um how we're going to go through things over the next several months. Uh we're specifically looking at the performance standards underneath the business or underneath the district regulations. Um just a reminder, division one, we looked at the district classification um and then kind of uh the uses. So that's the rights of city and things of that nature. Uh just a reminder of all the district classifications that we currently have proposed uh within the city. Uh just to remember R1A is listed on there. That's not an approved zoning district yet. Um R4 has been removed to fit with the comp plan uh with our densities and then our special overlay districts adding a adding a couple and then moving like Lake Minnotonka residential from a zoning district to an overlay. Uh just a couple things to keep in mind there. Uh we went through division two where we looked at the intent and why we have the performance standards, why it's important, as well as list of everything on there. One thing that we didn't cover is Knox boxes, uh which is something that staff was working on with the with the fire chief. Um and if you don't know what a Knox box is, a Knox box is a box that you put outside a business or outside a multif family building that has a key to get into the building as well as into any interior doors. Um, the Knox box is secured where the fire department's the only one that actually has a key to access it. And that way, if there is a fire, an emergency, emergency personnel can get into the building without having to break down doors. Um, which not only damage the property, but also can pose a risk to uh the individuals within the building as well as the firefighters or police or medical staff. Um so what this does is uh it requires that any business uh regardless of size or any um residence that has a

common space uh that share between patrons uh we required to have a Knox box. This is in the zoning code. What that means? It means if a if this was to be passed today, if some if a business didn't have it or one of the qualified residential properties didn't have it, they would still it just they become legal non-conforming to this part of the code. It would only be if they had a qualifying event um such as receiving a new certificate occupancy, increasing the number of residential units, increasing the the footprint of the common space, or if there was a fire and they had to do repairs. And then it would apply to any type of new construction that would come in or renovations that would then meet these criteria. So tonight specifically, uh we're going to be uh we're also going to be talking about the standards for the districts off street parking requirements for the CBD central business district, design standards for the central business district, as well as design standards for all our other uh districts which are C1, C2, and I1. Um the first part we're looking at is uh this is an amendment or amended section that staff looked at where for our off street parking we looked at parking size, parking and loading standards, uh lighting and light pollution and then the number of parking spaces required. Um during our last uh planning commission meeting, the question came up on park install length uh and what would be appropriate and things like that. Staff did do some research into that. Um 19 feet for your standard parking spot is about is a foot longer than uh comparables to most of the communities on this side of the metro. Um but it doesn't necessarily mean that that's long enough to fit other vehicles like a Ford crew cab with a fulls size bed is well beyond 19 ft. It's not going to fit in the stall. If you throw a hitch on it, it's longer. But one of the things that we have to keep in mind when we're looking at the sizes of parking spaces is there is drive aisle space. For a

single lane, it's 18 feet and for two-way it's 24. So there could be some stickout. But if we make parking spaces too large, then we're increasing the amount of impervious surface needed for a parking lot. We could be having a reduction in the amount of spaces that could appropriately fit on a site as well as that could affect the size of the building um and some of the economic balance. So it is kind of a balancing act. We want to get most. We know that there's some things that aren't going to work, but the beauty of the zoning code, the zoning code will never be perfect. If it was, we wouldn't have PUD processes. So, were there any questions when going through this of any of these type of topics? Um just off the cuff

the fireboxes are uh condition or condition or condition to install one not and correct that it's it's one qualifying act for anyone qualifies. Yeah.

Correct. Um looking at the requirements for the CBD. Uh this is amended. This is the these requirements were looked at uh just a couple years ago. all this was updated. Uh so we only made some minor edits to meet the today's climate of uh development and redevelopment with inside the central business district especially with downtown west and that was a huge focal point of why some of this does exist. Um so these are going to apply to all developments and significant redevelopments. Uh, a lot of the goals with this is we want to keep the historic factor that we do have to the downtown. While modernizing, we still want to keep it compact and we want to make sure that we preserve that pedestrianoriented character. Basically, what that means is that we want growth. We want to allow for growth and redevelopment, but we don't want to have it change in such a way that takes away from the character that already exists in the community. We want to expand on that. Um, in addition to that, because of the compactness that we have in the central business district, um, shared parking is a permitted option. Um, shared parking does require the city's approval when you go through and do your calculations, else parking needs to be on the property where the principal structure is. When we do talk about shared parking, we're talking about parking within 500 ft. That is using our public lots or using the on street. 500 feet might sound like a long distance, but if you park at Target in the back row in Waconia and you walk to the door, you've probably walked 500 feet just to get there. So, you're only talking a minute to a minute and a half or one to three minute walk no matter where you are. Uh we also have the design standards for the central business district and this is how we apply to keep that historic content and keep the compactness and the pedestrian oriented to it is we're looking at setting minimum standards um for architectural design for building facades ground level. How's it going to look from the street? How's it how

building is going to be designed when you walk into it? As well as the roof design. Um I would look at the entries and building materials. We're also looking at the exterior lighting, uh the streetscape design. That's going to be a lot of the landscaping stuff as well as any type of architectural privileges that are taken or monuments and things like that and signage. So, a good example would be the Roars building. The signage that's on the Roars building is a similar design to the signage we already have for where it says public parking

or where the parking stars all are in there. There's a standard design for it to the way the the businesses will have their signs designed. it's going to be pretty similar. Now, these are minimum standards that are set, but they're set in such a way that we don't want to infringe on a freedom of expression with the architecture, but we want to have that good model that's designed there. Um, and then when we do look at the exterior lighting, we have to look everything so close to each other. Do we do you want to make sure that we're protecting other businesses and residential properties from having issues uh that could come from lighting or noise and things like that? However, it is a downtown area. It's going to be louder than your residential area out in your R1 single family uh areas. Um we have design standards, uh which is the next section. This is our C1, C2, and our I district. So, not the central business district, not downtown west, but anywhere else we'd have businesses, primarily our south. Um same thing, setting minimum design standards. Um they're not as strict. Uh but we'd be looking at rooftops, we be looking at the HVAC screening, things like that. So if you have um a larger building, say we get a target or something of that variety, the HVAC system is not sitting on the side of the building, it's put in the roof, it's screened and hidden, and we get a good appearance from those type of developments. Um we also look at loading areas uh which is same it's a similar requirement to what we have in the central business but this allows for a little bit flexibility because these are going to be bigger areas that are going to be developed but we we want to look at how truck traffic's getting in how deliveries are getting in things like that. Um primary uh uh and accent building materials going back to how are things going to look what type of facade it is. We don't want to you don't want to put up a a retail building and throw vinyl siding on it when maybe Stuckco or brick is would be more appropriate for

the area. Um roofing materials, same thing. Lighting and light pollution is another thing that's looked at especially because you're going to have larger parking lots. Some of it's going to be near residential. Take the south growth for an area. Uh it's planned to have a large commercial area. Then we have the Quick Trip which has been approved. To north of that you have an apartment building town homes. Well, you're going to have light pollution coming from both those areas. So, what's a good way to control it? Um, that still allows flexibility, doesn't put a burden on a business or uh a multif family building, but also helps to screen and protect that lighting, that noise and just that type of bustle from staying where it should and not making its way to the other side. So, we have different requirements in for that. Um, with all of that, uh, we're looking at future planning commission meetings. Um, the ne at the next planning commission meeting, we're going to be talking doing the same thing, uh, that that was planned for tonight, except it'll be for the residential properties. Uh, you'll notice in the staff report, uh, it has the entire division in it. So, it goes all the way to the use tables, which we won't be talking about for another two meetings, but it's all there. So there's some references uh to if there's some questions come up uh outside meetings or during meetings just to help go through there. The uh the staff report also has in it just some very informal comments of the different areas just to kind of help guide reading through it. Uh and then yeah so are there any questions or comments or anything specific uh that we need to take a look at in the standards for the business districts tonight? So, thank you, Travis. Um, appreciate the presentation. So, let's open the floor now for the planning commission to ask those questions, discuss, raise any concerns that they have uh from a land

use standpoint um around just this the business district section at this point.

So, just to recap on the C1C2 I1 recollection is much of those are on the south side of the town because more of the central district is more of the historic. So I'm just trying to remember most of our CI is south. Yep. So I will I'll pull up a map and point out where this is. Yep. C1 in one. That's what I was recalling. We're we're in this parcel right here. Yep. Up way up north. And then our industrial area is all to the west of us. Yep.

Our C1 and C2 go into the in these south growth areas which are going to be these parcels. Right. So that's County Road 10 and County Road 11. Mhm. Is where that's primarily going to be focused. Um so those are much larger parcels that are undeveloped. So we can have the larger type of developments, whether that be mixeduse buildings, whether that be strip malls, whether it be standalone restaurants or uh some big box store, things like that. Um that's what would be in those type of areas. Mhm. Travis, by for context, that long straight diagonal line, that's the railroad tracks.

This line that's running at that 45 degree angle, correct? That is the railroad track. And then the larger line just below it, that's 212. No, 212 is going to be further down over here. 212 is far to the east. So, just a few miles to the east. Okay. Oh, it's 10. Yeah. Okay. So, this is where where the mouse is right now. That's where that uh the quick trip is going. And then we have Victoria Ridge with the town homes. and then Victoria Ridge second which is the apartment building that we looked at in the past couple months. Yep.

And then you have your Marsh Hollow, Hunters Brook and that type of stuff. So, uh other context would be this is where this is where they got the roundabout going and that has the road shut down. Good. Other questions, comments? Joe, this one seems pretty Yeah. No, I I reasonable.

I think for the benefit of of those viewing, uh, we all or some of us had preings and had a chance to ask one-on-one questions that we might have had relative to the new business district standard. I thought I thought the new standards were really well done for the CBD. Parking is a hearty perennial and will continue to be an issue that we have to struggle with over time. Um how do we fund adequate parking and yet keeping the small town charm and feel of downtown Victoria? But that's something that um I'm sure the city staff is well aware of. So if there's nothing else, we'll close the discussion. I just Yeah, one last comment I'd make is I just wanted to

convey to staff that I appreciate the change in meeting format and presentation. Concise gives us what we need. We had the chance to read over the materials. If we had questions, we'd highlight them. So, I think it's a much more effective way to go through it. Thank you. Yep. And the summary in advance, which is useful to us as well. So, thank you for for that.

Um, commissioners, um, this request does not require a formal motion. So that concludes our discussion items. Um moving on to the miscellaneous section of our agenda. Um are there any miscellaneous items from staff? Uh yes, thank you chair. We do have a few items. So our next meeting will go back to Tuesdays now since night to unite was last night. Um so we'll be back on our regular Tuesday meeting schedule. The next one will be August 19th. At that one, we'll continue the zoning code discussion with the residential portion like Travis mentioned. And then we also have a sketch plaque coming in. It's a revised sketch plaque concept for the Monarch Ganon proposal. Um, I think that's new to most of you, but that one is coming back. Secondly, we have new art in the council chambers. So, if you want to look around after the meeting and make your votes, we have little slips of paper on the desk over there and you can give them to me for which one you like the most. And then, uh, the one-on- ones that the chair mentioned, yes, I sent out a email last week. We're just checking in on the zoning code process so far. So, if you haven't had a one-on-one with me yet, uh, please schedule that and, uh, we look forward to meeting with all of you. And lastly, uh you might see some activity at the Victoria House that is under some renovation currently. There is a user who will be coming forward in a few months. So, you should see some more activity in our downtown area. I don't have any other updates other than that. Chair,

thank you. Brian, in case anybody's interested, there's a concert going on outside. So, it's like a built-in advertisement for the public concert series here in Victoria. Uh, commissioners, any miscellaneous items from anyone? If not, um, can I ask for a motion to adjurnn? Um, is there a second? Second. We have a motion and a second to adjurnn. Is there anyone opposed? All in favor? I We We are adjourned. Thank you.