HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 03-10-1999Approved Minutes
City of Plymouth
Planning Commission Meeting
March 10, 1999
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Bob Stein, Roger
Berkowitz, Allen Ribbe, Bob Sipkins and Sarah Reinhardt
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Stoebner
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Assistant City
Manager Kathy Lueckert, Public Works Director Fred Moore, City Engineer Dan
Faulkner and Clerical Supervisor Denise Hutt
4 Approval of Minutes
MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Reinhardt to approve the
February 10, 1999 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 4 Ayes. MOTION approved
unanimously. (Commissioner Sipkins abstained.)
6 Public Hearing
A City of Plymouth (99006)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by the City of Plymouth to receive public
comment for the 1999-2003 Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Element of the City's
Comprehensive Plan.
Assistant City Manager Lueckert gave an overview of the March 5, 1999 staff report.
Chairman Stulberg asked if improvements were made to County Road 101 from County
Road 24 to Highway 55 recently. Director Moore said that nothing has been done to the
roadway. He explained that due to the concrete roadway underneath the asphalt, it tends
to be bumpy in the spring due to frost conditions.
Chairman Stulberg asked if the $850,000 that is proposed is for removing the concrete
underneath the asphalt. Director Moore stated that the $850,000 is the City's portion of
the improvement. He stated that Hennepin County is looking at preliminary traffic
numbers to see what improvements are needed.
Chairman Stulberg asked if Fernbrook Lane could have a different design depending
upon what happens with northwest Plymouth. Director Moore stated that Fernbrook
Lane may not end up being a straight alignment, but rather it may curve, but will
generally be in the same area. Director Hurlburt commented that a public meeting to
discuss the possible alternatives for the Fernbrook Lane alignments has been scheduled
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for landowners on April 5, 1999. She said that the estimate for Fernbrook Lane is a
tentative estimate which will depend on the final design of the road.
Commissioner Reinhardt asked if the City is spending more or less from previous years.
Assistant City Manager Lueckert stated that the CIP is consistent with previous years.
She said that the figures for the first two years of the CIP are pretty accurate, as some
projects may fall out or get moved up.
Commissioner Reinhardt wanted to know if the City spends more or less than other cities
in the area. Assistant City Manager Lueckert said that the City of Plymouth may have
spent more in recent years because of additional recreational facilities, but generally
spends amounts comparable with other similar cities.
Commissioner Reinhardt asked how the projects are selected. Assistant City Manager
Lueckert stated that each department suggest projects which are then reviewed by the
senior City staff.
Commissioner Sipkins stated that it seems that a priority seems to have been assigned to
water projects such as the Central Water Plant Expansion. Assistant City Manager stated
that the list presented is not prioritized, and the Central Water Plant Expansion is just one
of the significant projects. She said that it depends on what project is deemed more
important at the time. She explained that the City knew five years ago that money would
have to be allocated for significant water projects, but the actual projects may be moved
ahead or back depending upon the demand.
Commissioner Sipkins stated that there are two projects listed for County Road 101; one
being County Road 24 to Highway 55 scheduled for 1999/00, and the other
19th Avenue
to County Road 24 scheduled for 2004. He asked about the process of determining which
phase gets done first and if it would be more economical to complete the projects at the
same time. Assistant City Manager Lueckert stated that the determination is ultimately
made by the County since it is a County project and depends where they schedule it in
their CIP. She said that the City Council has interest in moving the County Road 24 to
Highway 55 project up, and has talked with the County Commission. She said that as to
whether it makes sense to spread it out or do it all at once, she can't answer that, but it
depends on what the County has on their agenda. Commissioner Sipkins asked if there
was some trade off to get the County Road 24 to Highway 55 portion moved up. Director
Moore answered negatively. He said that that the County placed a high priority on the
northern part of the project and advanced it a year, when they received funding from the
sale of a facility in Hopkins.
Commissioner Stein asked if there are definite plans for water quality projects, or just to
set aside the money. Director Moore stated that a study was completed for Parkers Lake
that identified five or six things to be done. The City will have to look at those items to
determine the priority. The cost estimate for Parkers Lake is based on the study that was
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completed. Director Moore said that a study is underway for Medicine Lake, so the
amount for that project is just an estimate.
Commissioner Stein asked what, if anything, is happening with restoration of wetlands,
as was discussed by the Commission when they reviewed the Water Resources Plan.
Director Hurlburt stated that the policy in the plan did not indicate that the City would
initiate restoring of wetlands on private property, but rather encourage restoration in the
context of new properties developing.
Commissioner Reinhardt asked what would be done improve the water quality. Director
Moore replied that they would try to reduce the phosphorus concentration and treat water
coming in to the lake. He said one way of treating water before it goes into the lake is
using N URP ponds.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked what happened to the project to widen Schmidt Lake
Road at I-494. Assistant City Manager Lueckert commented that TIF money had
previously been set aside for the project, but it didn't appear that the City would be
needing the funds in the next 15 years, so the TIF money was earmarked for other
projects. This project was not in the CIP but was discussed when the Commission
reviewed the TIF plan. Director Hurlburt stated that the Commission will be addressing
the need for any improvements as part of the Transportation Plan.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if any funding will be set aside for trails and sidewalks
for the City Center Streetscape Plan. Director Hurlburt replied that the City Council just
reviewed the City Center Streetscape Plan at their meeting on March
9th. She said that
the dollar amount in the CIP does not specify what the money will be used for. The
Council still wishes to have more discussion as to what items in the Streetscape Plan will
be funded and when. Commissioner Berkowitz commented that his concern is based on
the abrupt absence of a sidewalk or trail when someone is walking or jogging in the area.
Commissioner Ribbe asked about the condition of the Mission Lift Station located on
County Road 9. Director Moore explained that two things need to be replaced, and the
station will have to serve more area with additional growth. He said that it is functioning,
but it will be necessary to make the repairs as currently scheduled, as it is getting
increasingly difficult to obtain parts.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if the Metropolitan Council is responsible for sharing
any of the costs for the lift station. Director Moore replied negatively.
Chairman Stulberg asked if there are enough funds in the CIP that can be rotated should
the need arise over the next few years for northwest Plymouth. Assistant City Manager
Lueckert said that there is a certain amount of flexibility within the CIP and that the
priorities may change based on the choices. Director Hurlburt stated that the Finance
Department completed a financial analysis for northwest Plymouth and the finding was
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that there would be funds available to provide needed capital facilities in northwest
Plymouth.
Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to
speak on the issue.
MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Ribbe recommending
approval of the 1999-2003 Capital Improvements Program for the City of Plymouth.
Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
7 New Business
A Appointment of Planning Commission Vice -Chairman
MOTION by Commissioner Sipkins, seconded by Commissioner Berkowitz to appoint
Allen Ribbe as Vice -Chairman for the Planning Commission for 1999. Vote. 6 Ayes.
MOTION approved unanimously. Director Hurlburt stated that she will inform Mayor
Tierney so she can approve the appointment.
Chairman Stulberg noted that he may be a little late to the March 24, 1999 Planning
Commission meeting.
Chairman Stulberg called a recess at 7:47 p.m. and reconvened the meeting in the
Medicine Lake Conference Room at 7:55 p.m.
B Comprehensive Plan Update
Director Hurlburt gave an overview of the March 5, 1999 memo and the Map titled
Potential Focus Areas — Plymouth Land Use Plan".
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if most of the land near Plymouth Oaks Apartments
Area 111) is unbuildable. Director Hurlburt stated that most of the area west of the
complex is unbuildable due to wetlands.
Commission Ribbe asked if it is possible to reconstruct anything at the Four Seasons Mall
site (Area 112). Director Hurlburt said that it may be possible, but the economics would
be a big factor. Commissioner Berkowitz asked when the center was built. Director
Hurlburt replied that the mall was constructed in the early 1970s.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if transportation plan issues will also have to be looked
at for the site along State Highway 169, south of Bass Lake Road (Area 113). Director
Hurlburt replied affirmatively.
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Director Hurlburt commented that maybe the commercially -guided land on the south side
of County Road 10, west of State Highway 169 and east of Trenton Lane (Area B4)
could be changed to high density residential to be more compatible with the surrounding
area.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if frontage roads would be a possibility for the northwest
corner of County Road 24 and State Highway 55, occupied by Dundee Nursery and Tri-
State Drilling (Area C2). Director Hurlburt replied it wouldn't be possible to continue a
road to the west due to wetlands.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked what the City's options would be for the non -conforming
asphalt business located at the southwest corner of Schmidt Lake Road and county Road
61, east of I-494 (Area E). Director Hurlburt said that they can not expand the business.
The marketplace may encourage redevelopment, or the City could buy it or amortize the
value. Commissioner Sipkins asked if the site would require environmental work if the
business would leave. Director Hurlburt answered that there may be environmental
issues with the site.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked when the City purchased land near the Fluidyne business
located on the south side of Schmidt Lake Road, west of I-494 (Area F). Director
Hurlburt replied that the City purchased land four years ago for right-of-way easement,
open space and three ball fields.
Commissioner Berkowitz commented that the Premier site (Area G) is probably okay as
a commercially -guided site, but the use is too big for the site.
Chairman Stulberg asked if there has been any talk about potential new uses for the area
west of the commercial site located on both sides of County Road 101 and south of
County Road 6 (Area I). Director Hurlburt replied negatively. She said that there was
an interest for a Farmer's Market, but it was put off by Super Value since they still have
some interest in the site, and it would be potential competition for their business.
Commissioner Berkowitz suggested that the City should look at the commercial strip
mall next to the Pike Lake Woods development.
Commissioner Sipkins suggested the City should look at the area west of County Road
101 near 19th
Avenue. Chairman Stulberg noted that the City should hold off until the
redesign of County Road 101 is completed.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if the area south of the commercial/industrial area
southeast of Medicine Lake, west of State Highway 169, south of State Highway 55, east
of Revere Lane (Area Al) should be addressed. Director Hurlburt said that applications
have been approved for an apartment building and an extended stay hotel. She said that
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since there are recently approved projects this area was not recommended as a "focus
area".
Commissioner Berkowitz asked when transportation issues would be addressed. Director
Hurlburt explained that the land use needs to be defined first and then the transportation
issues will be tackled.
Director Hurlburt commented that the City will be looking at different alternatives for
Fernbrook Lane and the relationship to land uses.
Commissioner Stein suggested that the City look at all of the land uses along State
Highway 55 in the City limits.
Commissioner Berkowitz commented that no heavy industrial areas have been
mentioned. Director Hurlburt said that there haven't been any real problems to address.
Commissioner Berkowitz asked if transition is an issue. Director Hurlburt said that the
policies in the Comprehensive Plan will be updated.
Director Hurlburt suggested that based on the Commission's discussions, that the City
focus first on Areas A and C. Chairman Stulberg concurred with Director Hurlburt
noting that Area A, as it is an entrance to the City and Area C are receiving more focus
now.
Director Hurlburt suggested that Areas B1 and B4 might be looked at next.
Commissioner Berkowitz commented that Area B4 is an entrance into Plymouth and it
currently doesn't make much of a statement for a "gateway" into Plymouth.
Commissioner Ribbe stated that the City should take the lead on Area A. He said that
there's a lot of opportunity to promote something that would be aesthetically pleasing.
Commissioner Ribbe asked what the City can do about Area A. Director Hurlburt said
that the City could get involved in redevelopment which could involve condemning
property for public use or to assemble land for a new development.
The Commission decided to focus on Areas Al, C2, B4, and B1 respectively.
Chairman Stulberg asked how long each area would take to look at. Director Hurlburt
said that the areas would vary in the amount of time needed, but would need to be
reviewed in March and April.
Director Hurlburt stated that all of the other areas noted would be reviewed at some level
to arrive at the proposed land use plan.
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MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Sipkins to adjourn.
Vote. 6 Ayes. The meeting adjourned at 9:32 p.m.