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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 10-06-2004Approved Minutes City of Plymouth Planning Commission Meeting October 6, 2004 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair Peggy Larson, Commissioners Frank Weir, Nancy Franke - Wilson, Kendall Griffith, James Holmes, Melissa Musliner, and Sarah Anderson MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barbara Senness, Financial Analyst Michael Kohn, City Engineer Ron Quanbeck, and Office Support Specialist Ranelle Gifford 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, recommending approval of the October 6, 2004 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 22, 2004 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, recommending approval of the September 22, 2004 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. RENOVATION SYSTEMS (2004115) MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Holmes, recommending approval of the request by Renovation Systems for a site plan amendment and variance to allow construction of two screen walls for property located at 2735 Cheshire Lane North. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. Approved Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2004 Page 2 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2004114) Chair Larson introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for a Comprehensive Plan amendment to adopt the 2005-2009 Capital Improvements Program. Financial Analyst Mike Kohn gave an overview of the September 29, 2004 staff report. He also showed a presentation outlining the background, purpose, and overview of the proposed Capital Improvements Program. Commissioner Anderson asked if the training facilities for the police are used daily, weekly, or monthly, and if we plan to share the facility with other agencies. Financial Analyst Mike Kohn stated he was not certain but that they were used frequently. He said he is not certain whether other agencies will be using our training facilities. Commissioner Anderson asked if the signs in the parks are automatically replaced after 20 years, or if they are replaced as the need arises. Park and Recreation Director Eric Blank stated the old signs were wooden and much of the deterioration occurred below grade. He said they are going through and changing the type of signage so they are consistent with each other and last longer. Commissioner Anderson asked if the goal was to design a sign that would last longer than 20 years. Director Blank answered affirmatively. He said the new signs are also wood, however the post stem would be of different material that would last longer. Commissioner Anderson asked what the ridership is on the bus system. Financial Analyst Kohn stated most of the busses are replacements; some would be added for expansion. The expansion is anticipated with the proposed parking deck which would increase the number of riders. City Engineer Quanbeck said the transfer system would increase the number of riders by keeping the rides in our system all the way downtown. Planning Manager Senness said there are figures supporting the number of busses. She said the Commission will be looking at the transit facility the first meeting in November. Commissioner Musliner asked about the need for a traffic signal at the Fernbrook and Harbor Lane intersection. City Engineer Quanbeck said the Fernbrook/Harbor Lane project has been looked at for many years. He said a light was considered when Harbor Lane was put in. He said in reviewing a project like this that is this close to Highway 55, the signals are timed so a back up doesn't occur on Highway 55. He said those are issues that have been researched. Commissioner Musliner asked about the need for a traffic signal at the Vicksburg and Shenandoah Lane intersection. City Engineer Quanbeck said the City, within the last year, did a study on the Vicksburg Lane corridor. He said the City Council recommended that it remain two lanes in each direction at this time. He said there are a couple reasons why this location was selected, the volume of traffic and the history of accidents. Another benefit would be the Approved Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2004 Page 3 crosswalk would then be protected by a light. He said by stopping traffic with a light, it would provide gaps for other intersections along Vicksburg Lane. Commissioner Musliner said Golden Valley has a pedestrian walk over Highway 55 and asked if Plymouth had considered a pedestrian overpass for Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55. City Engineer Quanbeck said pedestrian crossings at Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55 have been a concern for quite some time. He said there was an opportunity about a year ago to apply for some grant money for a pedestrian walkway either under or over Highway 55. He said this was brought before the City Council. The Council did not support pursuing the funding at that time. Chair Larson opened and closed the public hearing as no one was present to speak on the item. MOTION by Chair Larson, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to forward the 2005-2009 Capital Improvements Program to the City Council with a recommendation for approval. Roll Call Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 7. OLD BUSINESS A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2002046) Planning Manager Senness gave an overview of the September 24, 2004 staff report in regards to revised lighting regulations. Commissioner Anderson asked how this will impact the businesses within the City of Plymouth. Planning Manager Senness said it would not impact the existing businesses, only new businesses or businesses making changes to their lighting. She said these changes to the lighting regulations would provide a safer atmosphere for the businesses and residents of Plymouth. Chair Larson asked about the lighting permits. Planning Manager said lighting is approved by the City of Plymouth through a site plan process. When it comes to installation of the pole, the light fixtures, etc., a permit would be issued by the State. She said we would like to be able to check on the specifics of the fixtures, etc., to allow us the opportunity to check what the City approved is what is actually installed. Chair Larson asked if we rely on the State inspector. Planning Manager Senness said the State inspector is concerned with different requirements. She said that is why the City needs to have our own fail safe measures. Chair Larson asked if surrounding communities are taking a similar approach to lighting regulations. Planning Manager Senness said she is not aware of any local communities that are. Chair Larson asked about the sunset to sunrise limitations. Planning Manager Senness said directional lamp sources shall be limited to a luminance level of one thousand candela per square meter from sunset to sunrise. That limitation would be during the night time hours. Chair Larson said she is impressed with the increased safety that this change makes. Commissioner Larson asked whether other cities across the country are adopting the model ordinance. Planning Manager Senness said there are places across the country that are looking at Approved Planning Commission Minutes October 6, 2004 Page 4 the ordinance model. She said we have made some changes to the model that are more appropriate for Plymouth. MOTION by Commissioner Weir, seconded by Commissioner Wilson, to set a public hearing date of November 3, 2004 for the revised lighting regulations. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 8. ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Larson with no objection to adjourn the meeting. The meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.