HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 05-12-2009 SpecialAdopted Minutes
Special Council Meeting
May 12, 2009
A Special Meeting was conducted by the City Council on May 12, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. in the
Medicine Lake Conference Room, 3400 Plymouth Boulevard.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Slavik, Councilmembers Johnson, Willis, Bildsoe, Stein (arrived
at 5:55 p.m.), and Black (arrived at 5:45 p.m.).
ABSENT: Councilmember Murdock.
STAFF PRESENT: Park and Recreation Director Blank, Administrative Services Director
Portner, Community Development Director Juetten, City Forester Buck, Planning Manager
Senness, City Engineer Moberg, Senior Planners Doty, Drill, and Darling, and City Clerk
Engdahl.
Annual Update of the City Code and Zoning Ordinance
i Community Development Director Juetten led the Council in a discussion regarding the
proposed revisions to the City Code and Zoning Ordinance. The bulk of the discussion centered
on the proposed revisions to impervious surface coverage within the shoreland district, tree
preservation, and architectural standards.
Regarding impervious surface coverage; currently property owners can designate 25% of their
property in the shoreland district as impervious surface coverage. If they desire to exceed that
amount, they apply for a Variance that the Council reviews. With the proposed language,
property owners could designate up to 30% of their property and submit a best management plan
to address the increased runoff.
He stated regarding tree preservation, the proposed language is based on the Natural Resources
Inventory that was prepared by the Metropolitan Council in 2006 and is contained in the City's
Comprehensive Plan. The property owners that would be affected the most would be those areas
that were designated as moderate and poor tree inventory. Public lands and open spaces would
be classified as high in the inventory.
He discussed the proposed architectural standards for townhome developments. The proposed
language would provide for enhanced designs along roadways, flexibility for garage sizes, and
landscaping requirements (i.e. shrubbing, over storage trees).
The Council discussed the proposed changes to the impervious surface coverage regulations.
Councilmember Willis stated he isn't convinced that a best management plan would always be
effective and maintained.
Councilmember Johnson stated she supports increasing it to 30% if there is a best management
Adopted Council Minutes 1 of 3 Special Meeting of May 12, 2009
plan to address the runoff. She stated the Council's current practice is to grant variances if the
impervious surface area exceeds 25%. Therefore, should the Council continue with the current
practice or amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow for the best management plans? She asked
staff how the maintenance of these plans would be enforced in the future. City Engineer Moberg
replied the City has the ability to record those maintenance agreements on the properties.
Planning Manager Senness commented that none of the standards for the storm water ponds were
in place when the 25% threshold was established.
Councilmember Black commented that the City is going backwards in comparison to where the
watersheds are heading. Ponding only treats the water. It doesn't change the volume. She stated
she doesn't support the proposed amendment due to all the funds that have been spent to improve
water quality.
The Council discussed the proposed amendment to the tree preservation requirements.
Councilmember Willis expressed his empathy to those property owners who have tree areas that
are part of the tree inventory. He stated in those cases, perhaps conservation easements could be
placed on the properties, and the City could remove the density requirements on those properties.
He stated the City is creating an expectation on those wooded lots. In addition, road and
setbacks would require removal of trees, and with the higher density levels, more trees would
need to be removed.
Councilmember Stein agreed that perhaps the density levels need to be lowered on those
properties if it's hard to keep to the higher tree preservation requirement.
Mayor Slavik stated the City could run into problems when development proposals are submitted
with the proposed tree preservation requirements when there isn't consistency with tree coverage
between developments.
Councilmember Johnson stated the proposed amendment imposes such extreme percentage of
tree preservation, and this is a hardship. It would hamper the development to those properties.
Therefore, she doesn't support the proposed amendment.
Councilmember Black noted that property owners have the right to cut down the trees before
they sell their property. She suggested that the Council review this again and see what other
tools would be available to preserve the trees.
Greg Korstad, representing John and Susan O'Donnell, 5550 Dunkirk Lane North, stated their
concern is that they don't want the ownership of the woods to get in the way to develop the
property that is economical. He suggested that perhaps the City gives credit to a developer that
preserves a few more trees than what the ordinance requires, or for custom lot grading. He stated
if the Council desires to improve the tree protection in the environment, incentives should be
explored.
Mayor Slavik stated the proposed updates to the Zoning Ordinance and City Code would be on
tonight's regular Council agenda.
Adopted Council Minutes 2of 3 Special Meeting of May 12, 2009
Set Future Study Sessions
The Council scheduled a Study Session on July 14 at 6:00 p.m. for their quarterly update with
the City Manager.
Adiournment
Mayor Slavik adjourned the meeting at 6:40 p.
r
Sandra R. Engdahl, C y Clerk
Adopted Council Minutes 3of 3 Special Meeting of May 12, 2009