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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 11-06-2019Approved Minutes 1 of 5 Meeting of November 6, 2019 Approved Minutes Planning Commission Meeting November 6, 2019 Chair Anderson called a Meeting of the Plymouth Planning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard, on November 6, 2019. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chair Marc Anderson, Commissioners Bryan Oakley, Donovan Saba, David Witte, and Justin Markell. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Commissioners Julie Witt and Jaspreet (Jesse) Narr. STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Thomson, City Engineer Chris LaBounty, and Park and Recreation Deputy Director Barb Northway. OTHERS PRESENT: Councilmember Ned Carroll Chair Anderson led the Pledge of Allegiance. Plymouth Forum Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Markell, and seconded by Commissioner Oakley, to approve the agenda. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Consent Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Witte, and seconded by Commissioner Saba, to adopt the Consent Agenda that included the following items: (4.01) Planning Commission minutes from meeting held on October 30, 2019. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Public Hearings (5.01) Public hearing on City of Plymouth 2020-2029 Capital Improvement Program (2019080) Approved Minutes 2 of 5 Meeting of November 6, 2019 City Engineer Chris LaBounty gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Witte asked for additional details on what constitutes a full depth reclamation (FDR) of a street. City Engineer LaBounty stated that there are three different types of street improvements: mill and overlay, full depth reclamation, and full reconstruction. He provided details on each of the types of improvements, noting that the extent of work expands from the first to the third type. Commissioner Oakley referenced the estimated 25-year lifespan for a reconstruction. He stated that about 40 percent of the roads are not shown and asked if sufficient funding is being allocated toward roads. City Engineer LaBounty explained that cracksealing and sealcoating are not shown because those are considered management activities. He said he believed that the pavement project is moving in a good direction, noting that a series of pavement projects have been identified as priorities, but are not currently funded, including county projects and future projected projects. Commissioner Markell referenced pages 70 and 88 in the CIP Executive Summary, which includes three line items for annual street reconstruction and asked why the rates for 2020 are higher than in future years. City Engineer LaBounty replied that there is a spike in roadway improvements in 2020, which normalizes in 2021 and 2022. He explained that a need arose with the City’s reconstruction projects to complete the roads currently shown on the plans. He also stated that the full depth reclamation is higher, due partially to the movement of the Vicksburg Lane project from 2019 to 2020. He explained that the City’s previous program was heavy on mill and overlay projects and noted that while the full depth reclamation projects are not new to the metropolitan area, they are newer to Plymouth because of the age of the pavements. Chair Anderson referenced the construction of the Northwest Greenway trailhead, which is currently underway. He stated that a building was also mentioned for 2020, but noted that the commission has not yet seen plans for a building and asked for additional information on timing. Park and Recreation Deputy Director Northway replied that a roof design will move to the council on November 26 and once that is selected, the building plan will go through the regular planning process. She estimated that the commission would review the plans in early 2020. Chair Anderson referenced a modification to a lift station, providing an example of what seemed to be more unique in 2019 and asked for details on the proposed modification. City Engineer LaBounty explained that prior to any lift station improvements, staff reviews the sizing of the pumps and condition of the wet and dry pumps. He confirmed there has been full reconstruction of some lift stations. He noted that they have not moved to final design yet where more details will be known. Approved Minutes 3 of 5 Meeting of November 6, 2019 Chair Anderson noted that in the case of the recently improved lift station, it appeared a backup generator was installed on-site. He asked if that is the plan going forward, to provide on-site backup generators in the case of a power failure. City Engineer LaBounty stated that in recent years they have begun to install generators at critical locations. He noted that staff also has the ability to move portable generators when needed. Chair Anderson asked the timing of the full depth reclamation for the area near Vicksburg Lane, noting that the First Student bussing facility is located on 32nd Avenue. He asked specifically if the project would be completed during the summer to not disrupt the busy school bussing season. City Engineer LaBounty stated that the project schedule has not yet been finalized, but confirmed that they would attempt to complete the project during the summer. He noted there would be a traffic control plan to allow traffic to continue to flow, although not at the same rate it typically does. Chair Anderson noted that County Road 47 is not included on the plan and asked for an update. City Engineer LaBounty stated that the City, in partnership with Hennepin County, is in the process of finalizing a study on County Road 47 to understand what the road could look like and what the potential cost may be. He noted that once completed, staff will bring that study to the City C ouncil. He advised that at this time there is no funding for the project. Commissioner Witte referenced the water usage chart and asked for information on the recharge rate of the aquifer. City Engineer LaBounty replied that the City works with the Minnesota Department of Health to complete a wellhead protection plan every ten years. He stated that he does not currently have the drawdown levels for the wells, but noted that the most recent study has not identified concerns with the City’s water supply. Commissioner Saba referenced page 71 of the executive summary and asked for additional details on a pond improvement at 19th Avenue and Dunkirk Lane. City Engineer LaBounty stated that the City is pursuing grant dollars to complete a dredging of the pond, along with additional water quality benefits. He noted that the timing of the project could shift if the grant funds are not awarded. Commissioner Saba asked for additional details on the walking bridge identified near Wayzata High School. City Engineer LaBounty replied that at this time only a preliminary layout has been completed. He stated that the City is working with the school district as part of the trail would be on their property and noted there will continue to be ongoing discussions. Chair Anderson asked for details on the circle identified at Peony Lane and Schmidt Lake Road. Approved Minutes 4 of 5 Meeting of November 6, 2019 City Engineer LaBounty replied that intersection improvements are planned for Peony Lane and Schmidt Lake Road, which will also provide access into Wayzata High School. He stated that the City and high school are looking at ways to improve traffic flow, noting that a final decision has not yet been made. Chair Anderson referenced the entrance to the bus court for the high school, which he believed to have more issues than the intersection. He asked if that area would be reviewed as well. City Engineer LaBounty replied that the full scope of the study of intersection improvements was from the railroad tracks and includes the bus court entrance. Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. Chair Anderson introduced Julie Jones, 12100 61st Avenue, who asked about the Schmidt Lake Road project, specifically whether that would include the road improvements and a trail. She stated that she noticed that sometimes lighting referenced LED lighting, while other times, simply park lighting is listed. She asked if energy efficient lighting would be considered for all future projects. She referenced a grant program available that could possibly be used for electric mowers and asked if the City is considering that program. She asked if bathroom remodels would use more energy efficient/water efficient models. She asked if replacement of older equipment for water pumping and treatment would include more efficient equipment. She referenced the vehicle replacements planned and asked if electric or hybrid models will be considered. Chair Anderson closed the public hearing. City Engineer LaBounty stated that they are anticipating trail maintenance along Schmidt Lake Road, noting that the entire trail is not being included at this time. He stated that both water efficiency and energy efficiency are considered when replacing equipment. He noted that they have also been moving toward hybrid vehicles for staff, when practical. He advised that LED lighting is also being considered along with other energy efficient improvements. He stated he had passed on the grant opportunity for the electric mowers to the equipment facilities manager and she would work with the Parks Department at such time there is a replacement need to see if that made sense. Park and Recreation Deputy Director Northway provided examples of recent LED lighting projects as well as future planned LED improvements. Chair Anderson stated that he is impressed with the depth the City goes to related to infrastructure. Motion was made by Commissioner Oakley, and seconded by Commissioner Markell, to recommend approval of the request by the City of Plymouth for the 2020-2029 Capital Improvement Program. With all members voting in favor, the motion carried. Approved Minutes 5 of 5 Meeting of November 6, 2019 New Business Adjournment Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 7:42 p.m.