Public Hearing - Sheila Sellman, City Planner
Title
title
Granting a Conditional Use Permit Amendment to Allow for the Construction of a 4-Story Apartment Building with 65 Units with a Dog Park in a PBD Zoning District at 9460 Ulysses Street NE. Arris II Apartments (Case File No. 22-0016/EES)
end
Executive Summary
The applicant is requesting an amendment to a conditional use permit issued in 2021 for an apartment building. The amendment increases the unit count from 64 units to 65 units and adds a dog park for residents of the building.
Schedule of Actions
|
Planning Commission Public Hearing |
04/13/21 |
|
City Council (Conditional Use Permit) |
03/07/22 |
|
Action Deadline |
04/19/22 |
Background
Staff report prepared by Elizabeth Showalter, Community Development Specialist
The subject property is located on Ulysses Street just east of Berkshire apartments, (completed in 2016), and south of the Northview Villa manufactured home park. A comprehensive plan amendment from Planned Industrial/Planned Commercial to High Density Residential and a conditional use permit for a 64-unit apartment building was approved by the City Council on May 5, 2021.
At this time, the applicant is proposing to convert a common space in the original floor plan to an additional studio apartment. The new unit distribution is:
• 16 - studio
• 6 - studio alcove
• 33 - one bedroom
• 7 - two bedroom
• 3 - three bedroom
One stall is required for each studio unit and two stalls are required for each non-studio unit. Half of the required stalls must be located underground. A total of 110 parking stalls are required to meet the parking standard. A total of 113 stalls are proposed. The underground parking includes 56 stalls, meeting the requirement that half of the required stalls be provided underground.
The plan also depicts converting three of the originally proposed parking stalls to a pet area (a reduction from 116 stalls to 113 stalls). Due to the nearby residential uses (Northview Villa Manufactured Home Park), a condition has been added that the pet park be surrounded by a solid, maintenance free fence to provide screening. Conifer trees are also planned north of the pet park for additional screening and sound buffering.
Strategic Plan Relationship
Not applicable.
Board/Commission Review
The public hearing is being held at the City Council meeting, therefore no review or
recommendation was received from the Planning Commission.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of the original conditional use permit and one resident spoke at the public hearing. The resident expressed concerns about traffic and visibility.
Financial Impact
Not applicable.
Public Outreach/Input
Notice of a public hearing were:
1. Mailed to property owners within 350 feet of the property boundaries.
2. Published in Blaine/Spring Lake Park/Columbia Heights/Fridley Life.
3. Posted on the City’s website.
Staff Recommendation
By motion, approve the Resolution.
Attachment List
Zoning and Location Map
Narrative
Floor Plans
Rendering
Site Plan
Body
WHEREAS, an application has been filed by SEQR Blaine LLC as Conditional Use Permit Amendment Case File No. 22-0016; and
WHEREAS, said case involves the land described as follows:
Lot 2 and Lot 3, Block 1, CLOVERLEAF COMMONS, according to the recorded plat thereof, Anoka County, Minnesota.
WHEREAS, a public hearing has been held by the Blaine City Council on March 7, 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Blaine City Council recommends said Conditional Use Permit Amendment be approved; and
WHEREAS, the Blaine City Council has reviewed said case on March 7, 2022.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Blaine that a Conditional Use Permit Amendment, replacing resolution 21-090 is hereby approved per Sections 27.04, and 30.50 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow for the construction of a 4-story apartment with 65 units with an outdoor dog park in a PBD (Planned Business District) zoning district based on the following conditions:
1. This site is subject to the Highway 65 Overlay District requirements for exterior materials and shall include brick or stone on all elevations.
2. The storm water basin in front of the building shall be maintained and kept free of weeds so as not to create an eyesore.
3. The landscaping on site is subject to the Highway 65 Overlay District requirements and shall provide adequate screening to the existing residential property; The following trees must be provided on site:
• Overstory trees - 20
• Conifer trees - 30 (to be planted along the northern property line)
• Ornamental trees - 18
In addition, 25% of the trees shall be oversized to meet the Highway 65 Overlay District standards. Oversized trees must be 3-inch caliper overstory trees, 8-foot conifer trees, and it is not recommended that ornamental trees be oversized. A revised landscape plan shall be submitted as part of the site plan approval process that shows the required 14 oversized trees and the additional and relocated conifer trees.
4. All lighting needs to be down lit and shielded to prevent glare or spill. Pole mounted lighting is limited to 20-feet in height. There shall be no lights installed on the rear of the building exterior (north side) except for individual patio lights as it is immediately adjacent to an existing residential area.
5. A total of 110 parking stalls are required, 55 of which must be located underground.
6. Park dedication has been paid for the site with the recording of the plat. The amount paid however, was based on the commercial park dedication rate at the time of recording. The developer paid for 2 acres in 2007. Using the 2021 commercial rate that would have a credit value of $17,408. The City’s current residential rate for park dedication is $4,449 per unit. The total park dedication amount for the proposed 65-unit residential project is $284,736. The City will credit the owner for the $17,408 that has already been paid, resulting in the total amount of park dedication required before a permit is issued at $271,777.
7. SAC and WAC payments will also become due prior to the issuance of building permits.
8. The applicant will need to obtain a Coon Creek Watershed District permit prior to city approval of construction plans and specifications.
9. This building will need to be licensed under the City’s annual Rental License Program.
10. The applicant shall combine the two parcels at Anoka County prior to issuance of a building permit, with proof of recording submitted to the City.
11. The dog park shall be limited to 520 square feet and shall be enclosed by a 6-foot-high solid maintenance free fence.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 7th day of March, 2022.