Planning Commission Minutes 07-03-2012 (Special Meeting)SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 - 5:00 PM
Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Commissioners Present: William Spartz, Brad Fyle, Charlotte Gabler, Barry Voight
Council Liaison: Lloyd Hilgart
Staff. Angela Schumann, Ron Hackenmueller, Steve Grittman-NAC
1. Call to order
Commissioner Spartz called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m.
2. Purpose
This purpose of this special meeting is to consider a proposal presented by Bill Kemp
from Podawiltz Development for potential construction of rental housing at the Autumn
Ridge townhome development.
3. Podawiltz Presentation
Bill Kemp specified that Podawiltz Development proposed to purchase 39 lots, or half of
the lots remaining in the Autumn Ridge 3d Addition townhome development, on which
to construct a 35 unit rental townhome development. The density of the development will
be reduced but the basic site plan will remain the same as in the development agreement
currently approved by the City.
Based upon initial City interest in exploring such a project, Podawiltz Development
applied for funding from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA). MFHA
project financing determinations are expected in October. If the funding application is
approved, Podawiltz Development would make formal requests to the City for planning
action and additional financing which may be required to move the project forward. This
project is not a rental housing subsidy program. Tenants must be able to afford the rent
range from $750 -$850 per month. A family of four must have a maximum income of
$48,000 a year to be eligible to rent.
Proposed bedrooms and garage sizes are slightly larger than in existing units as required
by MHFA design criteria. The design is two story unit slab with bedrooms above grade as
compared to the type of split townhomes currently onsite. The MHFA will not finance
any housing with bedrooms below grade. Steel siding will be used and the exterior color
scheme will be the same. Each unit will have patios rather than decks. There will be two
tot lots and landscape enhancements along Edmonson Avenue. There are not anticipated
road modifications. The plan is required to comply with Minnesota Housing Green
Criteria as it relates to construction waste, energy efficiency, and water conservation
features. There is also a new sprinkler code requirement in place.
The proposal calls for 19 two bedroom 1749 square foot units with an additional 474 in
square footage in the garage. There will be 2 two bedroom handicap 1180 square foot
Planning Commission Minutes 07/03/12
units with an additional 505 in square footage in the garage and 14 three bedroom 1680
square foot units with an additional 472 in square footage in the garage. The overall
square footage is comparable to the townhomes that already exists but the garages will be
slightly larger and the driveway a bit deeper. It is expected to nicely complement the
units that are already in place.
Brad Fyle asked about how closely the plan addresses minimum square foot standards.
R -2 zoning district standards require a 1050 square foot foundation and a 450 square foot
attached garage. The R -3 zoning district, which is closest in density to Autumn Ridge,
requires 1000 square foot minimum floor area and does not provide an accessory
structure minimum.
Shawn Weinand spoke representing OCello. He pointed out that Podawiltz Development
had completed a similar project in Buffalo and noted that it was fully rented. He
suggested that he could arrange a site visit and tour of the Willows development. When
asked his opinion of the Willows development, Steve Grittman stated that it is an
attractive 24 unit development on a steep site. He has heard of no complaints about the
project and that development was completed as intended.
Barry Voight asked about connecting an internal path to part of city's public greater
pathway system. Angela Schumann noted that staff would like to see the portion of
pathway between Edmonson Avenue and the loop road at Autumn Ridge connected to
the public pathway system and suggested that the Planning Commission consider adding
to it to the Comprehensive Plan next year.
Charlotte Gabler stated that the developer had done a good job upgrading the design
plans and believes the project would fill a housing gap between the R -2 and R -3 zoning
districts. She encouraged including trees in the site plan.
Lloyd Hilgart confirmed that there is no current covenant prohibiting rentals at Autumn
Ridge. Shawn Weinand noted that eleven rental units are in place at this time.
4. Adjourn
BARRY VOIGHT MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 5:31 PM. BRAD
FYLE SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4 -0.
Recorder: Kerry T. Bum
Approved: August 7, 20L
Attest: V -`
A a Sc an , Community Development Director
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