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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-12 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes CITY OF OAK PARK HEIGHTS PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Thursday,June 12,2014—Oak Park Heights City Hall Call to Order: Chair Kremer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present: Commissioners Anthony, Bye, Kremer,Nelson and Thurmes; City Administrator Johnson, City Planner Richards and Commission Liaison Liljegren. II. Approval of Agenda: Commissioner Bye, seconded by Commissioner Nelson,moved to approve the Agenda as presented. Carried 5 - 0. III. Approval of May 15,2014 Meeting Minutes: Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Bye,moved to approve the minutes as presented. Carried 5 - 0. IV. Department/Commission Liaison/Other Reports: None. V. Visitors/Public Comment: None. VI. Public Hearings: A. Palmer Property—5625 Oakgreen Ave.N.: Consider requests for property Subdivision, Planned Unit Development-Concept&General Plan,Conditional Use Permit,Rezoning and Preliminary&Final Plat approval to allow development of a 13 lot subdivision. Commissioner Thurmes noted that he was the surveyor to the project and removed himself from the public hearing. City Planner Richards reviewed the June 5,2014 planning report related to the request to create a 13 lot, single family unit subdivision within the 6.76 acre property located at 5625 Oakgreen Ave. N. Richards provided an issue analysis of the request, recommended conditions for approval, and discussed the same with the Commission. Commission discussion ensued as to lot sizing,setbacks,street design with cul-de-sac, and emergency vehicle access. City Administrator Johnson noted that the Fire Chief did indicate that he was not in favor of the street width and that he felt the overall radius of the cul-de-sac was too tight. Chair Kremer opened the hearing for public comment and invited the applicant to address the Commission. Planning Commission Minutes June 12,2014 Page 2 of 5 Steve Johnston of Elan Design Lab introduced himself as the Civil Engineer to the project and responded to the concerns expressed to the lot composition and discussed the aspects of the property and city regulations that contributed to the design plan, referring to dimensions noted within the planning report for the roadway and setbacks. He did state that one of the issues affecting the roadway design is that the first 75 feet of the road are upon city owned property. He discussed the plan to reduce the required wetland buffer in relation to the site. City Administrator Johnson noted that a conservation easement may need to be considered with respect to the wetland area to protect the site for such time the developers are no longer involved with the property. Mr.Johnston noted that they did hold a neighborhood meeting to the project and that the biggest concern he heard expressed was regarding drainage to the south of the property. He displayed a drainage area map that displayed drainage at the site and discussed how drainage at the site works with the proposed development, resulting in a drainage reduction. Drainage overall was discussed in relation to the adjacent development. Mr. Johnston addressed Commission questions related to infiltration system and operation and how drainage has been designed to work at the site. Chair Kremer thanked Mr. Johnston and invited visitors to the public hearing to comment,noting that he received communication from the residents at Oakgreen Ave. N., expressing concern about the density of the development, proximity of units to neighboring properties,water run-off/potential damage,loss of trees,and hours and days of construction. Carol Lombard—5527 Oakgreen Place N. stated that they and their neighbors to the back of the Palmer property already have water problems and do not want to have an increase of water drainage to their properties. Mrs. Lombard questioned the need for so many variances and the hardship to justify them. She stated that she would like better understanding of how the buffer is supposed to work and that she felt that the lot size was too small for all of the houses being proposed. Mr. Lombard discussed concern with elevations between their property and the proposed development and how drainage flow. Mr. Johnston reviewed the plan and noted a home at the south property line and that they were leaving most of the land at that area as it is. Discussion ensued as to the ponds and what condition they remained in at different periods of the year and after rain periods and drainage changes overall as a result of the project being implemented as proposed. Rob Monk of Stantec Consulting introduced himself and stated that he did the initial stormwater review and that based on the model provided compliance was met. He noted that he was not fully aware of the drainage issues and stated that these would need to be considered and further review needed. Planning Commission Minutes June 12,2014 Page 3 of 5 City Administrator Johnson noted that because the property is largely being disturbed the evaluation of the entire area is needed as to water conveyance and also that a search to deeds and/or easements that may be of record on the plat could be done to determine relation to the Palmer property or otherwise. Carol Lombard asked for clarification of how water was being decreased to the backside. Steve Johnston explained that the grading of the site and berm placement would alter the route of water from the rear to the front and into various wetland areas and the storm system. Bev Babcock— 5523 Oakgreen Place. N. expressed her concern about the amount of water that gathers at the front presently on the property, noting that the amount of water is considerable and the proposed plan is going to result with some of those homes dealing with water issues. Becca Wilson— 5519 Oakgreen Place N. stated that they have been in their home for 21 years and have experienced flooding on a regular basis and have undertaken landscaping in effort to mitigate the water situation. She stated that she thought the proposed development looked nice but felt that it should be scaled down,that the water issues should be taken care of and that a bus or emergency vehicle should be able to get down the street. Mick Lynskey introduced himself as representing the land owner and the developer and stated that they understand that drainage problems exist and that the proposed plan was designed to help mitigate them and be a good fit with the land area. He pointed out they are working to address the drainage situation and that by doing nothing, the problem remains. Commissioner Anthony expressed disappointment with the City and its process that didn't curtail the drainage issues being experienced at Oakgreen Place and stated that she felt there had to be a better way to address existing situations and plan for future development. She stated that she was not comfortable with the one way in and out of the street. She stated the she has safety and water concerns and that she would like more information. Chair Kremer stated that he felt that a full engineering report was needed and that the water related issued needed to be investigated. Commissioner Nelson expressed her concern as to the water issues as well. Al Gosselin— 5554 O'Brien Ave. N. noted that when the homes were constructed on Oakgreen Place, he was concerned with them being placed downhill from his home and expressed his agreement with the concerns expressed by the Commission. Commissioner Anthony,seconded by Commissioner Bye,moved to continue the public hearing to the July Planning Commission meeting. Carried 4—0— 1, Thurmes abstained. Planning Commission Minutes June 12,2014 Page 4 of 5 Public hearing notices for the July meeting will be mailed. Chair Kremer encouraged engineering to visit the property to help put the issues in perspective. City Administrator Johnson stated that staff will meet with the applicant and work with engineering regarding the issues. City Planner Richards noted that this would be forwarded to the City Council for consideration in June. B. City of Oak Park Heights— 14168 Oak Park Blvd. N.: Consider requests for Site & Design Guideline review and Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of a telecommunications equipment building structure at City Hall property City Planner Richards reviewed the June 4,2014 planning report related to the request. Richards provided an issue analysis of the request, recommended conditions for approval, and discussed the same with the Commission. City Administrator Johnson noted that the City does have a leasing agreement with AT&T for equipment placement on the City water towers and discussed how the revenues received from them are used as funds from the water utility replacement fund to offset costs of maintenance to the water towers, including their cleaning and repainting. Discussion ensued as to how the towers are used for the cellular antennas and their equipment and what steps need to be taken by a vendor who wishes to be considered for equipment placement. Chair Kremer opened the public hearing for comment. There being none, Chair Kremer closed the public hearing. Commissioner Bye, seconded by Commissioner Anthony,moved to recommend City Council approval of the request, subject to the condition within the June 4, 2014 Planning Report, Specifically, that: 1. The grading, drainage and utility plans shall be subject to the review and approval of the City Engineer. 2. All lighting fixtures shall be full cut off and installed in compliance with the lighting standards of the Zoning Ordinance. AT&T shall provide specifications for the wall mounted fixture. 3. The City Arborist and Public Works Director shall determine if the trees to be removed could be moved to another location on site. 4. The screening fence shall be moved closer to the building, away from the curb line of the access road subject to approval of City Staff. Planning Commission Minutes June 12, 2014 Page 5 of 5 5. The building will be clad in the same brick as the pump house and other buildings on the City Hall site. 6. No advertising signage shall be allowed on the building or fence. 7. No exterior storage of equipment shall be allowed on site. Carried 5 —0. VII. New Business: None. VIII. Old Business: None IX. Informational: A. Upcoming Meetings: • Tuesday, June 24, 2014 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall • Tuesday, July 8, 2014 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall • Thursday, July 10, 2014 Planning Commission 7:00 p.m./City Hall • Tuesday, July 22, 2014 City Council 7:00 p.m./City Hall B. Council Representative • Tuesday, June 24 , 2014—Commissioner Bye • Tuesday,July 8, 2014—Commissioner Kremer X. Adjourn: Commissioner Thurmes, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m. Carried 5—0. Respectfully submitted, Jul' ultman Planning&Code Enforcement Approved by the Planning Commission:07-10-2014