HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-16-2000 MinutesCITE' OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
Wednesday, February 15, 2000 — 7:00 PM
Call To Order Vice Chair Dahlquist called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners
Dwyer and Wasescha. Staff Present: City Planner Richards, Planning Intern Hoel. Others Present: City
Council Liaison Swenson. Absent: Commissioners Hedlund and Vogt, Community Development
Director Danielson and Community Development Secretary Hultman.
Approval of Agenda Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer moved to approve
the Agenda as presented. Carried 3 -0.
Approval of Minutes Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to approve
the Minutes of January 20, 2000 as presented. Carried 3 -0.
Visitors None.
PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. Continued: Northern States Power - Conditional Use Permit Req uest:
Vice Chair Dahlquist noted correspondence received from the applicant requesting a continuance of public
hearing to March 9, 2000.
City Planner Richards informed the Commission that Northern States Power had contacted the City and
requested a continuance of their hearing to allow them time to assess the permit conditions recommended
within the City Planners report of February 3, 2000.
Commissioner Wasescha reminded the Commission of her conflict of interest in the matter, noting her
inability to participate in the discussion or recommendations on the same.
Commissioner Dwyer, seconded by Commissioner Dahlquist moved to continue the public hearing to
March 9, 2000. Carried 2 -0, Wasescha abstained.
It was noted that April 10, 2000 is the expiration date for this matter to remain active and that the applicant
must appear at the March 9 t " public hearing in order to move forward with their application request.
B. VSSA -PUD Amendment /Minor Subdivision Request
City Planner Richards provided the Commission with an overview of the request and outlined his report of
February 3, 2000. Vice Chair Dahlquist opened the public hearing for comments.
Peter Sajevic of Leonard, O'Brien, Wilford, Spencer & Gale, representing VSSA informed the
Commission the request being made was to facilitate financing of the Boutwell's Landing Campus with the
best bond rating possible.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 16, 2000
Page 2 of 3
There being no other visitors to the public hearing, Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner
Dwyer moved to close the public hearing. Carried 3 -0.
Brief discussion ensued among the Commission as the conditions recommended within the City Planner's
report, dated February 3, 2000.
Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer moved to approve the PUD Amendment and
Minor Subdivision Request based upon the following conditions:
An amendment to the planned unit development must be applied for and secured.
That a written consent will have to be received by the City of Oak Park Heights from the proposed
mortgagee acknowledging the priority of the City's development contract and agreement as it
affects the VSSA project. Specifically, the mortgagee should be required to execute a consent and
acknowledgement that the obligations of the developer to the City of Oak Park Heights have
priority over the mortgage as proposed to be placed upon the property by the developer and the
mortgagee, and that the mortgagee shall not do any act to obstruct, impair or otherwise limit the
ability of the developer to fully perform all of its obligations to the City of Oak Park Heights under
the terms and conditions of the development agreement as originally executed and as may be
subsequently amended between the City and the developer.
3. That the mortgagee will also have to acknowledge that there are easements yet due to be conveyed
to the City of Oak Park Heights in the form of roadway and some trail easements and potentially
other park easements. That the City will need the commitment from the proposed mortgagee that
they understand that releases as against the mortgage or deed of indenture will be freely granted by
that mortgagee on behalf of the property to release same to the City of Oak Park Heights so that
proper recording of easements unencumbered by the mortgage can be implemented. Further, it
must be understood that there will be no fees or costs assessed to the City of Oak Park Heights by
the mortgagee for those releases.
4. Further, it should be noted that final easement conveyance as it affects the established roadways
should be completed before any subdivision shall be allowed.
The nature of the subdivision will have an impact on the building to be constructed across the
property line. Those impacts will be addressed by the Building Inspector upon permit application.
VSSA shall construct all bicycle and pedestrian trails as sidewalks on those properties that will
comprise the main campus and adjacent residential development. The specifications for sidewalk
construction and exact locations shall be subject to City Engineer approval.
Sidewalks shall be added by VSSA to both sides of Norwich Circle North and along the east side
of Norwich Avenue North subject to City Engineer approval of specifications and locations.
Sidewalks shall be added by VSSA along both sides of Nolan Avenue North at the time of
development of the second phase of Boutwell's Landing subject to the City Engineer approval of
specifications and locations.
Planning Commission Minutes
February 16, 2000
Page 3 of 3
8. VSSA shall move or destroy the building and remove the structures and debris on the former
Ritzer property, south of 58' Street subject to City staff approval. VSSA shall work with City
staff to determine the disposition of the building prior to May 1, 2000. All action related to the
disposition of the building shall be completed by July 1, 2000.
Any other conditions as required by the City Council, Planning Commission and /or City staff.
Carried 3 -0.
Old Business
A. Capital Improvement Budget Update City Planner Richards provided the Commission with an
update, noting that the City Council had passed the budget as noted in the Commission's packet
enclosure.
B. 2000 Goal Setting: Meeting Date and Commission Coals City Planner Richards reviewed
the Commission packet enclosure and discussed the timeline for goal setting and discussion. Vice
Chair Dahlquist noted that the Commission had agreed at an earlier meeting to discuss their goal
setting in a workshop format. Brief discussion was held by the Commission pertaining to the goals
of the Commission and the City Council as well to other items and their status in relation to goal
setting.
New Business
A. Stillwater Area High School - Ropes Course City Planner Richards reviewed the Commission
packet enclosure and noting that an extension of the ropes course hours of operation would require
an amendment to the conditional use permit.
Informational /Update
A. Lower Oak Park Heights City Planner Richards provided the Commission with an update
of activity for the area.
B. Other Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer moved to request
that the Commission be provided with a summary listing of all applications for commercial
development projects as to provide the Commission with an awareness of upcoming projects.
Carried 3 -0.
Adjournment Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dwyer, moved to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
Carried 3 -0.
Respectfully submitted,
Ju A. Hultman
Community Development Secretary
Approved by the Planning Commission: March 9, 2000.