HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-10-2005 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Call To Order Chair Dwyer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present:
Commissioners Liljegren, Oswald, Runk and Wasescha. City Planner Richards, City Administrator
Johnson and Commission Liaison Alternate Doerr.
Approval of Agenda: Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Oswald, moved to approve the
Agenda, as amended cariyitlg "Goal Setting" under New Business to the April Agenda. Carried 5 -0.
Approve Minutes of March 10, 2005: Commission Liaison Alternate Doerr that the
Commission had received revised Minutes with minor amendments and review one item of change.
Vice Chan- Runk, seconded by Coinnussioner Liljegren, moved to approve the Minutes as amended.
Carried 5 -0.
Department /Commission Liaison Reports /Other Reports
A. Commission Liaison
B. St. Croix Crossing Update Commission Liaison Alternate Doerr discussed the process of
several bills moving through the political process and reported that that the next
Stakeholders Group meeting is anticipated to be held in May.
C. Other:
Visitors /Public Comment There being no visitors to the meeting other than those present for
items upon the published Agenda, Chair Dwyer moved to the Public Hearings portion of the
Agenda.
Public Hearings
A. Ruby Tuesday To consider requests for Variance to Sign age and Design Standards,
allowing LED Sign Band placement at Ruby Tuesday restaurant, located at 13375 60th St. N.
Chair Dwyer noted that City Staff received a request from the applicant to withdraw the application
and that there would not be a public hearing held.
B. Pine Grove Gardens To consider requests for Concept & General Planned Unit
Development (PUD) and Rezoning from O, Open Space to R -3, Multiple Family Residential
for construction of 26 residential units, within five townhome buildings South of Wh St. and
East of Oakgreen Ave. N.
City Planner Richards noted that the application before the Commission replaces the former
Ackerman Estates application, which was withdrawn. Richard stated that it is staff recommendation
that the Commission review the application for consideration of land use, zoning issues and the
overall concept plan, prior to moving into details for the proposed project. Richards reviewed the
March 4, 2005 planning report as to the requests, provided an issue analysis and discussed the same
with the Commission.
Planning Commission Minutes
Marchl0, 2005
Page 2 of 3
Chair Dwyer opened the public hearing, at 7:18 p.m., for comment and invited the applicant and
those wishing to speak to the matter to address the Commission.
Todd Erickson of Folz Freeman & Erickson Inc. representing the applicant, introduced himself
and noted that the proposed plan was prepared with consideration given to the comments made at
the earlier hearing for the withdrawn Ackerman Estates proposal. Mr. Erickson reviewed the site
plan and discussed issues such as setbacks, buffer area, roadway size and maintenance, parking
elements and snow removal/ storage.
Mr. Erickson commented on the utility design and the trail placement being brought back into the
wooded area at the site. He noted that the storm project is being designed to flow into the
Oakgreen regional pond, that the NE corner wetland area of the site will be maintained, that they
will be using quality materials and architectural design elements for the construction, and are
working to save as many of the existing trees as possible.
Discussion ensued among Mr. Erickson and the Commission as to staff recommendation on
setbacks, oudot usage, porch elements into common area. Mr. Erickson noted that time is
becoming of the essence for his client.
Eric Roeske — 5672 Novak .Ave. N : expressed his concern as to traffic density, particularly between
58th St. N. and Hwy. 36, noting that Oakgreen Ave. is not currently safe for pedestrian travel. Mr.
Roeske stated that he felt something needed to be done on Oakgreen Ave. for pedestrian traffic and
about intersection at Oakgreen Ave. and the frontage road, along Hwy. 36 to make it safer. In light
of the uncertainty of the Hwy. 36 and related roadway changes, Mr. Roeske asked that consideration
be given to the people who live in the area and the pedestrians using the roadways for travel before
making any changes to the area around it which would add to the traffic burden in the area.
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Chair Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner
Liljegren, moved to close the public hearing at 7:47 p.m. Carried 5 -0
Commission discussion commenced as to issues such as Oakgreen Ave. ownership, right -of -way
setback requirements, Oakgreen Ave. unprovements and manners of roadway improvement
funding.
Vice Chair Runk, seconded by, Commissioner Oswald, moved to recommend City Council approval
of the request for Comprehensive Plan zoning and map change to R -3, Multiple Family Residential,
subject to the following conditions:
That the Pine Grove Gardens development setbacks comply with those required for the R -3,
Multiple Family Residential District are complied with; and
2. That the preJifminaty /final plat for the Pine Grove Gardens development be revised,
merging Outlots A & B into one oudot parcel.
Carried 5 -0.
Planning Cornmission Minutes
Marchl0, 2005
Page 3of3
New Business None.
Old Business None.
Informational
A. Next Meeting April 14, 2005 7:00 p.m. — Regular Meeting
B. Council Representative March — Commissioner Liljegren
April — Commissioner Wasescha
Adjournment Vice Chair Runk, seconded by Commissioner Liljegren, moved to adjourn at
8:01 p.m. Carried 5 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Julie A. Hultman
Community Development
Approved by the Planning Commission: 04 -14 -05