HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-11-09 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes Irl CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday,November 9,2017—Oak Park Heights City Hall
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance:
Chair Kremer called the meeting to order.Present: Commissioners Kremer,Freeman,
Giovinazzo,VanDyke and White;City Administrator Johnson,City Planner Richards,and
City Councilmember Dougherty.
II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Freeman,seconded by Commissioner White,moved to
accept the Agenda as presented.5-0.
III. Approval of October 12,2017 Meeting Minutes:Commissioner Giovinazzo,seconded by
Commissioner Freeman,moved to approved the Minutes with clarification of correct
January Council Representative date being that as shown in the Minutes. Carried 5-0.
IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: Chair Kremer inquired about the status of
the Palmer property and Nolde(Anchobaypro)projects.
Palmer Property Project: City Administrator Johnson noted that he mailed a letter to
surrounding neighborhoods with a brief update and that the developer did comply with
completing the Development Agreement requirements by the end of October.They also have
posted security for engineering for the roadway and utility design/work and have paid Park
Dedication fees associated to the project.
Nolde(Anchobavpro)Project: City Administrator Johnson clarified the location of the
multi-tenant senior apartment building at the NW corner of the Oak Park Sr. Living
development and noted that they had pursed 2017 bond financing,which did not work out.The
developer has indicated that 2018 bonding will be sought. Johnson noted that the skyway
addition,which was part of the project approval is underway and that the structural steel in place
and work progressing.
V. Visitors/Public Comment: None.
VI. Public Hearings: None.
VII. New Business:None.
VIII. Old Business:
A. Small Cell Technology:
City Planner Richards noted brief discussion was had at the October Planning Commission
meeting,adding that that the City's Right-of-Way Ordinance,it's Zoning Ordinance section
with regard to antennae's,and a proposed permit application need to be looked at.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 9, 2017
Page 2 of 3
Based on his research and working with the City Attorney's office, Richards reviewed the
packet enclosure and described small cell technology as the small equipment placed on
public right of way, such as light and telephone poles, which are permitted uses under new
statutory regulations. He added that residential districts can require a conditional use
permit for such placement, though the statute is fairly vague on this.
Richards noted that in addition to placement of equipment, the right of way ordinance also
regulates equipment placement at ground level. He reviewed proposed amendments to
Ordinance 704 as to administrating and regulating right of ways and their uses, including
statute regulations, charges to be considered and a permit application for use in
administrating the ordinance. He will continue to work on the language and conditional use
permit aspects.
Discussion ensued as to potential area encroachment when a small cell technology device is
placed, types of structures used for placement in residential areas, typical range covered by
devices, the intent of the ordinance being to provide some guidance to the placement of
small technology to residential districts, the understanding of the statutes intent, and some of
the dialogue that has occurred from various agencies on the subject.
City Administrator Johnson noted that the City does rent space upon the water towers for
small technology placement and expressed that the intent of ordinance amendment is to have
all adhere to the same right of way rules. Johnson described some of the conflict created by
the statue and legislation for cities with regard to small cell technology utilities.
Commissioner Kremer stated that he felt the proposed language was lengthy and confusing
and noted examples, with some revision suggestion. Richards responded comments and also
noted that when the statue defines something, it is the practice to use that language so as to
avoid issues. Clarification as to whom the regulations will apply was discussed. Richards
stated that he was seeking a motion from the Commission to schedule the matter for a
December public hearing.
Commissioner Freeman, seconded by Commissioner White, moved to schedule a public
hearing on small cell technology at the December 14, 2017 Planning Commission meeting.
Carried 5 —0.
B. Oak Park Heights—Comprehensive Plan 2018:
City Planner Richards reviewed and discussed his November 1, 2017 Memorandum,
noting that the Introduction, Social Inventory, Issues Identification, Mission Statement
and Goals, and Land Use Sections have been updated with comments received from the
Planning Commission in October.
Planning Commission Minutes
November 9,2017
Page 3 of 3
Review and discussion ensued as to the Transportation section and traffic analysis data
and project counts in the St. Croix River Crossing area and how it is dispersed into the
community,traffic flows and intersections,how to get feedback on intersection issues to
those controlling them and the decisioning process to get that feedback assembled and
facilitated, and the cut and cover design that had been discussed in 2004 for Hwy. 36. The
Commission encouraged expressing the transportation needs as strongly as possible in the
Comprehensive Plan language. Richards noted the updating to the Community Facilities and
Administration sections and clarified a few corrections to the Community Facilities map.
IX. Informational:
A. Upcoming Meetings:
• Tuesday,November 28,2017 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday, December 12,2017 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Thursday, December 14, 2017 Planning Commission 6:00 p.m./City Hall
• Tuesday,January 10, 2018 City Council 6:00 p.m./City Hall
B. Council Representative:
• Tuesday,November 28, 2017—Commissioner Giovinazzo
• Tuesday, December 12,2017—Commissioner Freeman
• Tuesday, January 9, 2018—Commissioner Kremer
Commissioner White stated that he found a couple of areas in the Fencing, Screening and
Landscaping section of the Zoning Ordinance that aren't clear and suggested that the
Commission could take a look at that section at their next meeting. Commission consensus
was to have the subject placed on the December Agenda.
X. Adjourn. Commissioner White, seconded by Commissioner Giovinazzo,moved to
adjourn at 6:58 p.m. Carried 5 —0.
Re •ectfully submitted,
Ju tman
Ph 71. &Code Enforcement
Approved by the Planning Commission: 12/14/2017 5-0