Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-18-1999 Minutes0 CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, MARCH 18, 1999 ANNUAL MEETING Call To Order Chair Hedlund called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dahlquist, Schultz, and Wasescha. Staff Present: City Planner Richards, Community Development Director Danielson, and Community Development Secretary Hultman. Absent: Commissioner Vogt and Council Liaison Swenson. Election of Officers: Commissioner Schultz informed the Commission that he would not be seeking re- appointment upon completion of his term in May. Dahlquist, seconded by Wasescha, moved to continue having Hedlund serve as Chairperson for the Commission. Carried 3 -0. Hedlund abstained. Wasescha, seconded by Schultz, moved to continue having Dahlquist serve as Vice Chairperson for the Commission. Carried 3 -0. Dahlquist abstained. Adjournment Dahlquist, seconded by Wasescha, moved to adjourn the annual meeting at 7:02 p.m. Carried 4 -0. Call To Order Chair Hedlund called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dahlquist, Schultz, and Wasescha. Staff Present: City Planner Richards, Community Development Director Danielson, and Community Development Secretary Hultman. Absent: Commissioner Vogt and Council Liaison Swenson. Approval of Agenda Added to Informational Update: C. Council Meeting Representation Schedule D. Carriage Homes Annexation Discussed at Council Workshop Clarification E. Underground Electrical Ordinance Added to Old Business: D. Central Business District (CBD) Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to approve the Agenda as amended. Carried 4 -0. Visitors Barb Barry & Skip Sorenson for V.S.S.A; Donna S. Gray; Rick Roth and Bob Hoffman. Approval Minutes Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to approve the Minutes of February 25, 1999 as amended. Carried 4 -0. Minutes of March 4, 1999 were carried to the meeting of April 8, 1999 due to their being unavailable for review. Public Hearings A. Continued - A request to consider Partial General Plan of Development Approval -Valley Senior Services Alliance project ( Boutwell's Landing) City Planner Richards provided a brief recap of the project, noting that a Site Review Committee meeting was scheduled for the upcoming week to review the project and recommended that the matter be continued to April 8, 1999. Barb Barry and Skip Sorenson, of Valley Senior Services Alliance provided the Council with a project update. They stated that they would like to receive preliminary approval in April so that they can begin grading in May. Mr. Sorenson stated that since marketing the project, public interest has been strong. Joe McQuillan asked what the backside of the planned berm would look like and where the name Boutwell's Landing came from. Mr. Sorenson informed him that the backside of the berm would consist of 12 to 14 foot trees and natural vegetation. Boutwell's Landing is derived from the Presbyterian relationship to the Stillwater area. John Dale stated that he would appreciate consideration in expansion of the berm to include the corner lot south of the emergency exit. Sorenson indicated that they would consider what would be acceptable by the Fire Department. Richards noted that the landscape plan would detail the elevations, which would also be reviewed by the Site Review Committee in the upcoming week. Bob Hoffman, resident of Blackwood addition, inquired as to what kind of natural buffer will be left of the pine trees in place between his neighborhood and Boutwell's Landing. Barry and Sorenson stated that the project had not been developed to this extent and that it would be laid out as they proceed. Richards noted that when this area was planned a Public Hearing would be held and that notices would be sent. Mr. Hoffman stated that he felt the project was a good use for the land and that he looked forward to having Boutwell's Landing for neighbors. General discussion ensued as to some of the project changes. Schultz, seconded by Wasescha, moved to continue the public hearing to the first Planning Commission meeting of April, 1999. Carried 4 -0. B. Continued- A reauest to consider a Conditional Use Permit for a student transportation facilit and bus garage at 5302 Stagecoach Trail, N. : City Planner Richards noted that a continuance to April 15, 1999 had been requested by Ryder Transportation. Community Development Director Danielson noted that Ryder has conducted their public informational meeting. After brief discussion, the Commission agreed to approve the request for continuance. Old Business A. Carriage Homes Senior Apartment Building Update Chair Hedlund noted that Carriage Homes, Inc. has withdrawn their application for the project and that they will continue to working to eradicate issues of concern in hopes of reapplying for the senior apartment building project. B. 1999 Project Priorities /Strategic Planning Meeting Danielson provided the Commission with the top ten priorities established at the strategic planning session meeting. Further discussion of this will be held at the April 8, 1999 meeting. NN C. Plannina Commission Training- Government Trainina Service: Danielson discussed various training options with the Commission, including the possibility of having an "in- house" speaker in light of their meeting schedule. Consensus was that an "in- house" speaker would be desirable. A training session will be held at 6:00 p.m., prior to the regular April 8, 1999 Planning Commission meeting. D. Central Business District (CBD) Danielson briefly re- capped the memo of understanding the City has entered into with property owners to accomplish various issues. She noted that the City has committed to designing the area, working with B.R.W. and the CBD steering committee. She further noted that VSSA has offered to contribute $2,500 to the project. She encouraged the Commissioner to participate in the project's process and indicated that they would receive information as it proceeded. Danielson distributed a training seminar flier on mixed -use development and asked that anyone interested contact her. Richards noted that the City Council would like to see the CBD area increased to Norell Ave. N. and have the Commission change the zoning for the area at its April 15, 1999 meeting. Discussion ensues among the Commission as to boundary and redevelopment issues for the area. Rick Roth stated that he felt the buildings, in the proposed increased area, did not conform to what was being suggested. He stated that he is attempting to purchase the office building adjacent to McCormack's Furniture to use as offices in the rear and a small, used truck lot in the front. He indicated that he had been working with Richards to effectuate this until the CBD zoning for the area was proposed. Danielson noted that when the Council presented this concept, it was not their intention to harm any individual or group. E. Comprehensive Plan Richards stated that the City Council is to review the plan at its March 23, 1999 meeting. He further noted that the March 31, 1999 is the deadline for submission to Metropolitan Council. He stated that approval of the plan would establish the zoning detailed within it noting that there was no reason he could foresee that it would not be approved. Discussion commenced regarding Highway 36 changes, interchange and closure change possibilities. The Commission indicated that the Commission needed to address these issues and that the City needed to be specific about having access to Oakgreen Avenue from Hwy. 36. Danielson and Richards suggested that the Commission might wish to draft a memo to the City Council stating their feelings on this issue. F. Other New Business: None Informational /Update A. City Council meeting follow -up Agendas Receipt acknowledged. B. February Commission Attendance Record Receipt acknowledge. Danielson thanked the Commission for the diligence in attending meetings, noting that the language in the Bylaws may need to be revisited, as initial expectations of time have not been the reality. Brief discussion ensued. Commission consensus is that it is very important that realistic expectations be established for future Commissioner recruitment. C. Council Meeting Representation Schedule After brief discussion the following representation schedule was established. April - Commissioner Wasescha; May - Commissioner Vogt; June - Vice Chairperson Dahlquist; and July - Chairperson Hedlund. D. Carriage Homes Annexation Discussed at Council Workshop Clarification Dahlquist sought and received clarification that this Carriage Homes was not the same as the Carriage Homes that recently proposed the Sr. apartment building off of Osgood Avenue. E. Underground Electrical Ordinance Brief discussion was held on this subject, recently discussed at a City Council Workshop. The Council is expected to clarify the issue in April, at which time the Commission indicated it is likely that they will address the issue as it relates to design guidelines and make a recommendation to the City Council on the matter. Adjournment: Schultz, seconded by Wasescha, moved to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. Motion carried 4 -0. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Hultman Community Development Secretary 0