HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 28, 2025
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING – JANUARY 28, 2025
The Regular Bi-Monthly Meeting of the Andover Planning and Zoning Commission was
called to order by Chairperson Godfrey on January 28, 2025, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover
City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota.
Commissioners present: Chairperson Karen Godfrey, Commissioners Scott Hudson,
Nick Loehlein, and Chuck Naughton.
Commissioners absent: Pat Shuman Jr. and Ryan Winge (plus one vacancy)
Also present: City Planner Peter Hellegers.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
November 26, 2024, Regular Meeting
Motion by Commissioner Loehlein, seconded by Hudson, to approve the minutes from the
November 26, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting as presented. Motion carried on a 4-
ayes; 0-nays vote.
PUBLIC HEARING: Amend the existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) for Grey
Oaks to allow 3-4 season porches/screen porches at the same minimum setbacks as
attached decks for the townhouses in Block 4 of Grey Oaks (Lots 4-27); PID# 22-32-24-
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12-0097, 1895 156 Lane NW, Ray & Jill Ostby (Applicant)
City Planner Hellegers stated that the Planning Commission is requested to review a
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for an Amendment to a Planned Unit Development (PUD)
to amend rear yard setbacks for the townhomes in Block 4, Lots 4-27. Mr. Hellegers
reviewed the proposed amendment and items covered in the staff report to the Planning
Commission.
On March 2, 1999, the City Council approved the Planned Unit Development and
Preliminary Plat for the Grey Oaks development. The development plan was geared
toward seniors and empty nesters and the 60-acre plan included 5 blocks on the plat with
two 65-unit apartment buildings, six 30-unit apartment buildings, thirty-eight townhouses,
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes – January 28, 2025
Page 2
four single family lots and 3 commercial lots. The Final Plan for Grey Oaks was approved
on June 20, 2000.
The proposed PUD Amendment would modify the PUD Design Standards; allowing the
rear setback for the townhomes on Block 4, Lots 4-27 to allow 3 and 4 season porches to
follow the same setback as for decks (15’) instead of the distance required for the house
(25’). There are currently 6 units that have porches built at this 15-foot setback, but the
PUD design standards have not been clarified to state that porches and decks can have
these same setbacks.
The Grey Oaks development is generally located east of Nightingale Street NW, south of
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157 Lane NW, west of Hanson Boulevard NW, and north of 155 Avenue NW. The area
was indicated on a map. The development is currently guided for Urban Residential High
and zoned M-2: Multiple Dwelling High-Low Density.
The proposed amendment to the PUD provides for the following:
Reduce rear yard setback for townhomes on Block 4, Lots 4-27
o Currently rear setbacks within the Grey Oaks development are:
25’ to House, and
15’ to deck
o The amendment would allow rear setback for 3-4 season porches/covered
porches to be consistent with those of decks (15’).
o Currently 6 of the 24 townhouse units in this block are already built with 3-
4 season porches at this 15’ setback distance.
o PUD design standards have not been updated to reflect this distance
specifically for the porches.
Developments to the north of this area, Shaw’s Glen and Shaw’s Glen Second Addition
include parcels that are very deep, 100-150 feet deeper than typically required. These
developments also have a significant amount of that southerly portion of those yards
encumbered by drainage and utility easement which can be as deep as 150 feet on some of
these already deep lots. The result is that the development to the north is much further
apart from the townhomes in Block 4 of Grey Oaks than in a typical development in
Andover.
Mr. Hellegers reviewed the PUD Criteria. According to City Code 13-3 Planned Unit
Development, the purpose of a PUD is to encourage more efficient allocation of density
and intensity of land use where such arrangement is desirable and feasible by providing
the means of greater creativity and flexibility in environmental design than provided under
strict application of the standards set in code. City Code 13-3-9 states the following
required findings for the Council to consider when approving a PUD:
1. The proposed development is not in conflict with the goals of the Comprehensive
Plan for the City.
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes – January 28, 2025
Page 3
The Comprehensive Plan shows this property as Urban Residential High.
The proposed change for the rear setbacks for porches on Lots 4-27 of Block
4 within the development would not change this land use guidance.
2. The proposed development is not in conflict with the goals of the Comprehensive
Plan for the City.
2018 Comprehensive Plan Goals that may be relevant which are found in
Chapter 1: Foundation of the Comprehensive Plan.
Overarching Goals, Objectives, and Policies
Goal 1: Maintain and enhance the quality of life in Andover.
Land Use Goals, Objectives, and Policies
Goal: Encourage appropriate economic growth and redevelopment.
3. The proposed development is designed in such a manner as to form a desirable and
unified environment within its own boundaries.
The completed PUD has been designed in a manner to form a desirable and
unified environment within its own boundaries. The proposed PUD
amendment would not change the character of the development and would
not increase the rear setbacks overall, it would make the rear setback for
porches consistent with the rear setbacks allowed for decks for these
townhouse units. This is consistent with other townhouse units within that
block that have already been built to these proposed setbacks.
4. The proposed development demonstrates how each modified or waived
requirement contributes to achieving the purpose of PUD.
The proposed PUD amendment would not increase the rear setbacks
overall, it would make the porches consistent with the setbacks allowed for
decks for these townhouse units. This is consistent with other townhouse
units within the block that have already been built.
5. The PUD is of composition, and arrangement that its construction, marketing, and
operation are feasible as a complete unit without dependence upon any subsequent
unit.
The development within the PUD has already been constructed and is not
dependent on a subsequent unit or phase. The proposed PUD Amendment
would not impact this finding.
Mr. Hellegers noted that the City Council will need to determine if the developer’s
proposal satisfactorily meets these required findings. Any other deviations from the City
Code that were approved with the PUD for Grey Oaks, other than the proposed change to
the rear setback for porches on Block 4, would remain as is and would not be impacted by
the proposed PUD Amendment. The proposed change would only apply to the rear
setbacks for 3 and 4 season porches for those townhome properties identified within Block
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes – January 28, 2025
Page 4
4 of the PUD. With a PUD all standards apply as typical, unless otherwise specified in the
PUD request. Other amendments may arise in the future that the Planning and Zoning
Commission and City Council would have to approve. If association documents need to be
amended the applicant and other townhome properties within Block 4 would need to
collaborate with the owner’s association.
Provided for Commission consideration was a draft resolution of approval, draft resolution
of denial, City Code 13-3 Planned Unit Development, location map, the resolution that
approved the PUD (R055-99) and Design Standards for the Grey Oaks, the applicant’s
narrative, and a letter dated December 16, 2024, from Genesis Property Management
which manages the Homeowners’ Association.
After taking public testimony the Planning Commission is asked to make a
recommendation to the City Council for their consideration on February 4, 2025.
Commissioner Naughton asked if the mailing that was done included Shaw’s Glen
residents. Mr. Hellegers stated they were since they were within 350 feet of the site.
Chair Godfrey opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
No one appeared to address the Commission. Mr. Hellegers noted there was one piece of
correspondence received noting “no objection” from Ms. Engelbrecht at 15631 Linnet
Street.
Chair Godfrey closed the public hearing at 7:10 p.m.
Commissioner Loehlein stated this seems very straightforward. He noted there were
already 6 properties that have added porches. He is in support of moving this forward.
Motion by Commissioner Loehlein, seconded by Naughton, to recommend the City
Council approve a resolution to amend the existing Planned Unit Development (PUD) for
Grey Oaks to allow 3-4 season porches/screen porches at the same minimum setbacks as
attached decks for the townhouses in Block 4 of Grey Oaks (Lots 4-27); PID# 22-32-24-
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12-0097, 1895 156 Lane NW, Ray & Jill Ostby (Applicant). Motion carried on a 4-ayes;
0-nays vote.
OTHER BUSINESS
Mr. Hellegers noted at the last meeting of the Planning Commission that a sketch plan was
reviewed but the applicant has not yet brought forward an application for subdivision of
the property to be reviewed by the Planning Commission.
There will be at least one meeting in late February.
Regular Andover Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting
Minutes – January 28, 2025
Page 5
The Home Show is being held on March 8th. If Commissioners are interested in
volunteering please contact Staff.
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Godfrey adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Wolfe, Recording Secretary
TimeSaver Off Site Secretarial, Inc.