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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-16-1999 MinutesPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES Thursday, September 16, 1999 — 7 :00 PM Call To Order Chair Hedlund called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dahlquist, Vogt and Wasescha. Staff Present: Community Development Director Danielson, City Planner Richards and Community Development Secretary Hultman. Absent: Commissioner Dwyer. Approval of Agenda Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha moved to approve the Agenda with the following additions: Old Business: B. Americhm Update New Business: C. Street Lighting Informational /Update: D. Content of Planning Commission Packets Carried 4 -0. Ap proval of Minutes Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Vogt, moved to approve the Minutes of August 19, 1999 as presented. Carried 4 -0. Visitors None. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. To consider a request for rezoning property located at 5416 Stagecoach Trail N. from R- 2, low - medium density residential to B -W, Business Warehouse City Planner Richards provided a brief overview of the applicants request and outlined his report, noting that Ryder Transportation is committed to moving forward with the development of their site adjacent to the subject property and that they will comply with all conditions of their approval, including paving and curbing the parking areas in 1999. Chair Hedlund opened the public hearing for comment at 7:12 p.m. Public testimony was received from David Beaudet, 6400 Lookout Trl. N., Oak Park Heights; Andy Olson, 5464 Stagecoach Trl, N.; Martina Plaster, 5472 Stagecoach Trl., N.; and Brian Smith, 5480 Stagecoach Trl. N. Dave Beaudet expressed his feeling that the property should remain zoned as it is for the time being. Martina Plaster questioned the possibility of the use being changed to business use if rezoned as proposed. Richards indicated that such a change request would require a comprehensive plan amendment. Andy Olson stated that it had been his understanding that the property was purchased by the City to serve as a buffer between the residentially zoned properties and the Industrial zoned property. Mr. Olson stated that the residents have indicated they would sell their homes to the City and expressed his concern about the compatibility of businesses within the neighborhood and fears that rezoning of the property will result in the City's losing control of the buffer. He feels the property should be left as vacant land or designated for park use. Richards stated that any proposal for the property would required a site plan review prior to approval. Brian Smith stated his opposition to the rezoning of the property and reiterated the willingness of the residents to sell their properties. Danielson noted that the City has no plans to acquire the residential properties at this time. Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha moved to close the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Danielson, representing the Economic Development Authority (E.D.A.) informed the Commission that the E.D.A. would like to market the property for development opportunities and that the request will comply with the Design Guidelines and Comprehensive Plan requirements. Chair Hedlund questioned deviating from standard procedure in rezoning the property when a specific proposal had not yet been received for the property. Richards noted that the "standard procedure" the Chair referenced to was for properties currently zoned O, Open Space. Dahlquist suggested zoning the property as open space until specific plans are received to allow for control purposes. Danielson stated that the same control purpose is achieved with the rezoning, as the land is vacant and a site review, by the Planning Commission and the City Council, for any new development would be required prior to approval and that all codes at that time would need to be complied with. Dahlquist addressed the situation of the residential properties willing to be sold by their owners in the vicinity. Danielson stated that the City has held discussions with the homeowners over the past year and that at this time resources are unavailable for purchase of the properties. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dahlquist, moved to recommend that the City Council approve rezoning of the property from R -2, Low - Medium Density Residential to O, Open Space Conservation. Carried 4 -0. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dahlquist, moved to recommend that the City Council require the Economic Development Authority to communicate and work with the four residential property owners affected by change to this area, so as to create a workable development plan for the property and that the City Council require the development plan be prepared and presented to the Planning Commission for review. Carried 4 -0. 2 B. A continued. hearing to consider amendments to the Comprehensive Plan reflecting comments from the Metropolitan Council. The amendments are related to aviation, housing land use sewers transportation, water resources management and the Capital Improvements Program Danielson noted correspondence received from Metropolitan Council indicating that 60 additional days were needed to review submittal to the plan and recommended that the public hearing for the matter be continued to the October 21, 1999 meeting of the Planning Commission. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Commissioner Wasescha, moved to continue the public hearing until October 21, 1999. Carried 4 -0. Old Business A. Lower Oak Park I4ei2hts Land Use and Zoning; Study - Table discuss for land use and zoning issues for that area east of Stagecoach Trail, N. to January 2000 Danielson summarized her memo recommending tabling the matter until January, 2000 as a result of budget necessity. In light of the information provided, the consensus of the Commission is to table the matter until January, 2000. B. AmericInn Update Richards summarized the original approval granted and conditions established at the August 19, 1999 Planning Commission meeting. Richards and Danielson updated the Commission as to some of the alternatives having been suggested for parking, roadway access and size. It was noted that the property owner has been notified of the importance of a North - South aligmnent for traffic flow and safety issues. Staff will continue to work with the property owner and the applicant on unresolved issues. Discussion ensued as to who would review the changes made to the plan. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Commissioner Dahlquist, moved request that the City Council require the applicant to revisit the Planning Commission if changes are made to the access way resulting in cul -de -sacs and development placement changes to the southerly area. Carried. 4 -0. New Business A. Review of 1999 Planning Budget Danielson summarized her memo regarding the 1999 budget and directive to cease all planning activity for non - developer projects during 1999. B. Capital Improvement Budget Review Danielson summarized the planning packet enclosure, noting that some of the priorities of the Commission had for 1999 have been moved to 2000 and asked for feedback. She further noted that the City Council anticipated adopting the 2000 Capital Improvement Budget in December, 1999. 3 Brief discussion ensued, wherein the Commission elected to schedule a workshop to discuss the budget. Invitation to said workshop shall be extended to Parks Commission and will be held at the City Hall on Thursday, October 28, 1999. C. Street Lighting Street lighting was discussed in relation to area of new and current development. Danielson noted that the City Council has been looking at various lighting issues with Northern States Power. Commissioner Wasescha indicated that she would like to see roadway lighting is being proposed. Richards noted that Valley Sr. Services Alliance should be providing the City with plans for lighting for Boutwell's Landing. Informational/Update A. Review of Major Road Projects (1) Road Construction; (2) Central Business District; and (3) Boutwell's Landing Danielson provided an update and conducted discussion as to the projects and related issues. Commissioner Dahlquist indicated that he would like to see the Weekly Notes enclosed as part of the Commission's monthly packet. B. Update on Planning Commission Approved Projects Danielson reviewed construction activity packet enclosure with Commission. Chair Hedlund thanked Danielson for preparing the update. C. City Council /Commission Meeting Follow Up A eg_nda(s) The Commission acknowledged receipt of the follow-up agenda(s). D. Content of Planning Packets Brief discussion was held by the Commission as to the content of the packet materials. Adjournment Chair Hedlund, seconded by Wasescha, moved to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. Carried 4-0. Respectfully submitted, Y Julie A. Hultman Community Development Secretary 11