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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-16-1998 MinutesCITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES, THURSDAY, JULY 16,1998 Call To Order- Commissioner Wasescha called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Dahlquist, Hedlund, Schultz, Vogt and Wasescha. Staff present: Community Development Secretary Hultman. City Consultants present: City Planners Richards and Digre. Approval of Agenda- Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Schultz, moved to approve the agenda as presented. Carried 5 -0. Approve June 18, 1998 Minutes- Minutes were distributed at the meeting. Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Wasescha, moved to carry approval of the minutes to the August 20, 1998 meeting to allow time for review. Carried 5 -0. PUBLIC HEARINGS: Chairperson Hedlund asked the audience who was in attendance for each of the public hearings scheduled. Based on their response, the public hearing were held in the order of the number of people in the audience for each hearing, differing from the order indicated on the meeting agenda. "and Amend the Park Dedication Requirements" was removed from Public Hearing D. A. Valley Senior Services Alliance (VSSA) - Commissioner Hedlund opened the hearing at 7:05 p.m. City Planner, Richards provided the audience with background information for the senior living community as proposed by VSSA. Barb Barry and Skip Sorenson, representing VSSA, were present. Mr. Sorenson presented an overview of the proposed project, detailing the phase process of the project and time frames involved. He described the structure of the dwellings and work to be completed within each phase. He noted that the living environment is designed so as to blend with the existing community, using natural landscaping and utilizing many of the existing trees from the property formerly known as the Krueger Tree Farm. In the terms of public areas, Mr. Sorenson indicated that there will be twenty -two (22) acres of park land and a major parkway system of trails. VSSA hopes to begin general plan development this Fall, with grading to begin in October. Completion of the project will result in a 120 acre senior living community campus. Barb Barry, addressing staff report, indicated that the requirement of an enclosed park shelter and cash park dedication seemed excessive in light of VSSA's creating the park, providing toddler equipment, preparing trails, public parking and donating the park land back to the City. VSSA asked that a budget, not to exceed $20,000, be established for the toddler equipment and installation. They will be seeking authorization to pay the 58th Street assessments, due at the time of plat approval, through a bond which would be payable over a fifteen (15) year time frame, with an interest rate of around five and one - half percent (5 '' /z %), as indicated as acceptable by City staff. City Administrator Melena explained how this process would work. Joe McQuillan of 5558 Novak Ave. N. stated that when he built his home, he was led to believe that the surrounding area was to be developed as single family homes and that he opposed the proposed project, particularly the pathway placement. Commissioner Wasescha suggested that the pathway issue be taken into consideration to ensure an accurate understanding of what is being proposed and further suggested that the Commission work with Mr. McQuillan and VSSA on this. Commissioner Hedlund questioned the wetland areas. Mr. Sorenson stated that there are presently four (4) inch flags, on the site, that indicate the one hundred (100) year high water mark. A hydrological study is being completed on the area. VSSA will create holding ponds that will allow the sediment to settle before the water is released into the storm water ponds. The wetland /retention ponds /storm water ponds will be connected to one another. VSSA is attempting to recreate the 1936 water level and will be lowering the grade level to accommodate this. Mr. Sorenson, responding to Commissioner Wasescha's question of what the real park land was, stated that the area is generally the one hundred fifty (15 0) feet from the building to the water and pathway system. He offered to have the surveyors stake the park area and tot lot location. Commissioner Wasescha accepted his offer to have this done. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Vogt, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 8:23 p.m. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Vogt, moved recommending that the City Council approve the general concept plan as proposed by VSSA, with staff report recommendations being negotiated. Carried 5 -0. B. Lower Oak Park Heights Rezoning from R -2 to O, Open Space - Commissioner Hedlund opened the hearing at 8:25 p.m. City Planner Richards outlined the proposal and commented that the City viewed this as a good, solid plan to protect the City's neighborhood development, keeping homes there. Visitors included: 1. Pam Patrick of 5737 Peller Ave. N., who stated that she was in favor of the rezoning. 2. Bob Dalluhn, a former resident of the neighborhood. Mr. Dalluhn questioned how the City could lay claim to rezone the property when the State of Minnesota owned most of it. Commissioner Hedlund explained that the State is a property owner just as other individuals are and that the City has the right to control the zoning of the neighborhood areas for development. 3. Deb and Bill Simonet of 5976 Stagecoach Trl., N. Mrs. Simonet stated that they were not in favor of the rezoning because it affects their rights as property owners. She stated that they have been battling all along with this property issue and really just didn't want to go through another one by supporting this zoning change and asked if there was any way for them to rezone the area and leave their property as it is. She further stated that it was her understanding that the property owners, who sold their property to the State, were supposed to have the first right to buy their property back as they sold it and wondered why the five (5) acre requirement was in the proposal. Commissioner Dahlquist requested clarification as to the procedure for a previous property owner to purchase the property back. City Planner Richards apprised the Commission of his understanding of the process. 4. Mayor Schaaf stated that he was not comfortable with the rezoning of the area to O, Open Space and that he would rather see it rezoned as a PUD, Planned Unit Development. Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Wasescha, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 9:35 p.m. Commissioner Wasescha stated that she would like the procedure for previous owners purchasing their property back from the State defined and moved that the hearing be tabled for further discussion at the August 20, 1998 meeting, when they have more information regarding the buy back process. Motion seconded by Vogt. Carried 5 -0. C. Establish a Central Business Zoning District and Map Amendment - Commissioner Hedlund opened the hearing at 9:05 p.m. City Planner, Richards provided the audience with background information for the proposed central business district, indicating that the premise of this proposal is to provide some direction and guidance in the development of the area. Linda (Haase) Pilgreen was present and questioned how this proposal would affect her family's property. Commissioner Hedlund questioned City Planner Richards on the conditional uses of the district, who provided explanation. Mayor Schaaf was present and indicated his support of creating a central business district. Discussion ensued including issues such as signage clarification and business mix. City Planner Richards indicated that a central business district would allow for a nice mix of business uses as well as better conformity to zoning issues, such as signage. Commissioner Vogt inquired as to where the criteria for the zoning ordinance came from. City Planner Richards stated that the basis of the present zoning ordinance comes from when the first ordinance was drafted in 1988, which was drafted from a compilation of information from other representative cities on basic standards. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Vogt, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 9:35 p.m. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Dahlquist, moved to recommend approval of the central business zoning district and map amendment according to City Planner Richards' staff report. Carried 5 -0. D. Amendments to Subdivision Ordinance to Include the Planning Commission - Commissioner Hedlund opened the public hearing at 9:40 p.m. There was no comment from the audience. Commissioner Wasescha, seconded by Vogt, moved to close the public hearing. Carried 5 -0. Public hearing closed at 9:41 p.m. Commissioner Dahlquist, seconded by Hedlund, moved to amend the Subdivision Ordinance to include the Planning Commission. Carried 5 -0. Park Dedication- City Planner Richards provided the Commission with some history on how park dedication fees have been determined. He stated that he did not feel that the City could support a park system with the dedication fee plan presently in place. Brief discussion ensued. Community Development Secretary Hultman was directed to prepare a memo to the Commission, indicating business /organization use of the parks for the past two (2) years. Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Vogt, moved to table this matter until the August 20, 1998 meeting. Carried 5 -0. Comprehensive Plan Update- City Planner Richards indicated that the City staff has been working with the City Council in updating the Comprehensive Plan and that the City Council has directed the task of developing this plan to the Planning Commission. City Planner Richards provided a draft Planning Tactics, Inventory and Policy Plan for the Commission's review, noting that this is to be used as a planning tool to direct process. This issue will be discussed again at the Planning Commission Workshop scheduled for 8:30 p.m., August 20, 1998. Government Training Service -Land Use Planning Seminar- City Planner Richards provided information on an upcoming seminar and asked that the Commission indicate if they desire to attend at the August 20, 1998 meeting. He also mentioned that the Commission may be interested in becoming members of the Minnesota American Planners Association (MNAPA). He will provide more information on this to the Commission. Adjournment- Commissioner Vogt, seconded by Wasescha, moved to adjourn. Carried 5 -0. Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Julie A. Hultman, Secretary Community Development