HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 04-02-2008Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
April 2, 2008
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Holmes, Commissioners Terry Jaffoni, Erik
Aamoth, Karl Neset and James Davis. (Commissioner Jaffoni arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Frank Weir
STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Senior Planner Shawn Drill,
Planner Joshua Doty, Public Works Director Doran Cote and Office Support Specialist
Laurie Lokken
1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. PUBLIC FORUM
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the
April 2, 2008 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. APPROVAL OF THE MARCH 19, 2008 PLANNING COMMISSION
MINUTES
MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the
March 19, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved.
B. ROLLIN B. CHILD, INC. (2008012)
MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Neset, to approve the
request by Rollin B. Child, Inc. for a site plan amendment and variance for an 18,945
square foot building expansion and front yard parking setback for RBC Tile & Stone for
property located at 1820 Berkshire Lane North. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved.
6. PUBLIC HEARING
A. THE ROTTLUND COMPANY, INC. (2008003)
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Chair Holmes introduced the request by The Rottlund Company, Inc. for a planned unit
development amendment and preliminary plat to create 20 single family lots and one outlot
from one existing outlot for property located west of Cheshire Parkway and north of 55th
Avenue North.
Planner Doty gave an overview of the March 25, 2008 staff report. Planner Doty added
that the applicant is requesting additional time and that staff recommends that the Planning
Commission open the public hearing, take any testimony from anyone who wishes to speak
on the item and then continue the hearing to the May 7, 2008 Planning Commission
meeting.
Chair Holmes opened the public hearing.
Chair Holmes introduced David Benson, 5515 Fernbrook Lane North, representing the
Glacier Vista Twinhomes Association. Mr. Benson said that he is concerned about the
access to the neighborhood off of Fernbrook Lane. He said that a direct interchange from
Cheshire Lane to that neighborhood would be an advantage to future homeowners. He said
that the proposed access off of Fernbrook Lane will make the interchange more difficult for
people exiting from Fernbrook Lane on to 56th Avenue. Mr. Benson said that Fernbrook
Lane is very narrow for two-way traffic. He said that when vehicles are parked along the
side of the road it becomes a one-way road. He said the road is at a weird pitch and
becomes slippery and dangerous in the winter. Mr. Benson said that he is concerned about
the water pressure and what the plan is to address that. He asked if they would continue to
suffer with poor water pressure if more homes are added.
Planner Doty said that adding another access point to Cheshire Parkway does not meet
standards in the subdivision regulations. He said the regulations require that the access to
the subdivision be from a lower order roadway (Fernbrook Lane) and not a higher roadway
Cheshire Parkway).
Planner Doty said that Fernbrook Lane is a narrow roadway but is an approved street under
subdivision regulations. He said that it is considered a low volume street with two-way
traffic and parking on one side. He said that subdivision regulations for lower volume
roadways state that there can be no more than 500 trips per day on low volume streets. He
said that with the Glacier Vista homes and the 20 proposed homes, the daily trips would
total 272, which would comply with the subdivision regulations.
Public Works Director Cote said that this area is some of the highest land in Plymouth. He
said that they are at a dead end of the existing trunk watermain. He said that the extension
of the watermain to County Road 47 would help alleviate the water pressure issues. He
said that conditions have been added to the resolution that require the developer to provide
system improvements to make that pressure work until the watermain is extended.
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Commissioner Davis asked what the normal street width is. Planner Doty said that 28 -foot
wide streets are typical and that there are some streets in Plymouth that are 32 feet wide.
Planning Manager Senness added that the standard changed a number of years ago from
32 -foot wide streets to 28 -foot wide streets and that lower volume streets are allowed to be
the narrower 24 feet.
MOTION by Commissioner Neset, seconded by Commissioner Aamoth, to continue the
public hearing to the May 7, 2008 Planning Commission meeting. Vote. 5 Ayes.
MOTION approved.
B. PROVIDENCE ACADEMY (2008011)
Chair Holmes introduced the request by Providence Academy for an amendment to the site
plan and conditional use permit to allow building expansion and site improvements for
property located at 15100 Schmidt Lake Road.
Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the March 25, 2008 staff report.
Chair Holmes introduced the applicant Patti O'Donnell, representing Providence Academy.
Ms. O'Donnell said that they are submitting site variations from the original plan based on
expansion needs. She said that their elementary school has a waiting list and that if the
project is approved, they would be able to start hiring teachers for this next school year and
utilize existing classrooms until the completion of the new classroom addition in 2009.
Ms. O'Donnell said that the overall site plan amendment had been refined over the past
several years. She said that current field limitations have hampered them from holding
some field events and that the proposed changes will provide amenities that are on par with
other schools in the community.
Chair Holmes asked if the dome over the tennis courts would be opaque so that lighting is
diminished.
Chair Holmes introduced Troy Gamble, representing Anderson Engineering. Mr. Gamble
said that the dome material would be opaque, which does better to contain the light in the
dome.
Chair Holmes opened the public hearing.
Chair Holmes introduced Franzi Schneider-Krumpus, 5140 Quantico Lane North. Ms.
Schneider-Krumpus said that the break in the trees located northwest of the athletic field is
to allow for stormwater drainage. She asked if there would be any type of structure
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proposed by the new track to discourage kids from going into the woods during athletic
events.
Chair Holmes introduced Thomas Klevorn, 4755 Kingsview Lane North. Mr. Klevorn said
that during the original construction period, the radio frequency used in construction
vehicles would set off the alarm in his residence and he had to turn the alarm off. He asked
if something could be done about the radio frequencies used. Mr. Klevorn asked that
consideration be given to the traffic flow on Schmidt Lake Road for safety. Mr. Klevorn
asked how the lighting would be fixed.
Chair Holmes introduced Gary Zurek, 5050 Quantico Lane North. Mr. Zurek said that the
tennis court is currently located 120 to 140 feet from his property line and the proposed
changes would bring the tennis court within 30 feet from the property line. He said that
moving the tennis court closer to the property line creates a privacy issue.
Chair Holmes closed the public hearing.
Mr. Gamble said that the west side of the athletic field would be fenced off and there
would also be a retaining wall along where the track bleachers would sit above the existing
ground. Mr. Gamble said that this would be a substantial deterrent and that there would
not be easy access to the woods.
Ms. O'Donnell added that during football games, there are two security officers that patrol
the site and would be able to address kids going into the woods. She said that the security
officers are also there during the peak morning traffic and that they make sure that there is
no danger along Schmidt Lake Road.
Public Works Director Cote said that the applicant could address the issue of radio
frequencies during construction if they would affect alarm systems.
Public Works Director Cote said that there is typically more traffic in the mornings and
traffic is less significant in the afternoons. He said that there would have been a traffic
study completed when the original plan for Providence Academy was proposed. He said
that could be looked at to see if a need for a traffic signal there had been warranted or
recommended.
Planning Manager Senness added that if there is an issue with people not complying with
speed limits as posted, there is the possibility of speaking with the Police Department to
step up enforcement. Chair Holmes said that it is a high volume, high speed area by
everyone and not just Providence Academy traffic. He said that it would be a good time
for the police to look at that stretch and slow traffic down.
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Commissioner Neset asked that a recommendation be made to the Police Department to
have them place a speed trailer on Schmidt Lake Road. Planning Manager Senness said
that staff would follow up on this recommendation.
Senior Planner Drill said that the revised lighting plan would address a maximum
mounting height of 25 feet on light fixtures, would show required house shields and would
provide watts per square foot calculations.
Chair Holmes asked if the revisions would put the lighting plan in conformance with the
City Ordinance. Planning Manager Senness said that a condition in the resolution requires
them to submit a revised lighting plan that complies with City regulations before building
permits could be issued.
Senior Planner Drill said that the applicant has revised the landscaping plans to provide a
coniferous screen along the lower level of the retaining wall and over story trees at the
higher elevation. He said that the new tennis courts would be lowered five feet from their
current elevation.
Commissioner Neset asked to go on record that his daughter attends Providence Academy
but that it would not sway his vote and would not require him to abstain.
Commissioner Aamoth asked if Providence Academy would be able to come back for an
extension if the project is not completed within the approved eight years. Senior Planner
Drill said that they would be able to ask for an extension and that it would require review
by the Planning Commission and approval by the City Council.
MOTION by Commissioner Davis, seconded by Commissioner Aamoth, to approve the
request by Providence Academy for an amendment to the site plan and conditional use
permit to allow building expansion and site improvements for property located at 15100
Schmidt Lake Road. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
7. NEW BUSINESS
8. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Chair Holmes, without objection, to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.