HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-10-1998APPROVED
CITY OF PLYMOUTH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 1998
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners John Stoebner,
Kim Koehnen (arrived at 7:10 p.m.), Bob Stein, and Allen
Ribbe (arrived at 7:05 p.m.)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Roger Berkowitz and Jeff Thompson
STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning
Supervisor Barb Senness, Building Official Joe Ryan,
Assistant City Manager Kathy Lueckert, Public Works
Director Fred Moore, Park & Recreation Director Eric
Blank, and Clerical Supervisor Denise Hutt
1. CALL TO ORDER:
2. PUBLIC FORUM:
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Chairman Stulberg noted two typographical errors - one on Page 11 and one on Page 17.
MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Stein to approve the
January 27, 1998 Planning Commission Minutes. Vote. 2 Ayes. (Chairman Stulberg and
Commissioner Ribbe abstained.)
5. CONSENT AGENDA:
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (97161)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for the 1998-2002
Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Element of the City's Comprehensive Plan.
Assistant City Manager Lueckert gave an overview of the February 6, 1998 staff report.
Chairman Stulberg asked where the money would come from if there are decisions made
about Northwest Plymouth requiring street construction in 1998 or 1999. Assistant City
Manager Lueckert replied that staff would need to take another look at the CIP and
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reallocate funds if needed. Chairman Stulberg asked if there would be funds available.
Assistant City Manager Lueckert responded that it would be a matter of a priority setting
process.
Chairman Stulberg asked if the $85,000 allocated for the skate park is just for equipment.
Assistant City Manager Lueckert replied affirmatively, indicating that the park would be
located on the east side of the Ice Arena.
Chairman Stulberg wondered if a skate park would compound an already existing parking
problem on the site. Park and Recreation Director Blank explained that the skate park
would operate during the summer months when the Ice Arena is not being used for
hockey and usage of the fitness center is less.
Chairman Stulberg asked if the City pays the entire cost of the 50 parking stalls. Assistant
City Manager Lueckert explained that the City is responsible for the grading and Life
Time pays for the concrete and asphalt. Director Blank added that it is the same contract
agreement that the City had previously with Life Time in which Life Time pays for curb
and gutter and asphalt, and the City pays for engineering, grading and the sub base.
Chairman Stulberg noted that it would be nice if all the documents and printed press
releases explain the contract and state that the City isn't paying the whole bill.
Commissioner Koehnen asked what would happen if the parking doesn't decrease as
anticipated by the time the skate park is operational. Director Blank stated that Life Time
staff indicated that attendance will level off by February 15th, and staff is assuming there
shouldn't be any parking problems by April. Director Blank said that high school hockey
ends in March, which is generating most of the traffic in the winter months.
Commissioner Ribbe stated he was glad to see a traffic signal proposed for Lancaster Lane
and 36th Avenue. He asked if there has been any consideration for sidewalks on Lancaster
Lane between the apartment buildings and the Four Seasons Mall, as there is a lot of
pedestrian traffic. Director Blank replied that the last time the Comprehensive Plan was
updated, there was a sidewalk or trail included for that area. He said that now it is just a
matter of priority and funding for the project.
Chairman Stulberg questioned if staff should be looking at more of an expansion than 12
million gallons for the Central Water Plant on 23rd
Avenue since they have already
exceeded the projection for the year 2000. Director Moore replied that the 12 million
gallon expansion would be the maximum amount for the facility. The next expansion
would have to be to the Zachary Plant.
Commissioner Stein asked if the Ford Road traffic signal project would be in conjunction
with the City of St. Louis Park. Director Moore replied affirmatively, stating that the City
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of St. Louis Park's City Council will be considering the item this month or next. If
approved, the project should be started in 1998.
Commissioner Koehnen asked if another fire station is needed for Northwest Plymouth, if
it would be scheduled for after the year 2002. Assistant City Manager Lueckert stated
that staff does not know enough about the plans for Northwest Plymouth at this time, and
would have to take another look at the issue of a fire station, if warranted at a later time.
Director Moore stated that staff will know more about Northwest Plymouth after the
Comprehensive Plan update is completed.
Commissioner Stein asked if there any plans to update the beach facilities at East Medicine
Lake Park. Director Blank replied that they will be putting in a new playground this
spring, and the regional trail will be added to the area. The City will also be opening the
beach at West Medicine Lake, and staff would need a couple of summers to evaluate
attendance. Staff would then evaluate the overall situation of beaches and attendance and
determine where improvements should be made.
Commissioner Ribbe asked how staff determines the water projections. Director Moore
explained that the figures are based on zoning, population projections, and conservation
measures. The Land Use Guide Plan is the basic guide for the water system and fire
protection. Commissioner Ribbe asked if Northwest Plymouth starts developing whether
the Commission would have a way of knowing if that development would alter the
projections on the water need. Director Moore stated that staff has an idea of what would
be needed for the area, and as individuals build, they are assessed when they connect to
water and sewer. He added that revenue bonds are issued for the water plants.
Chairman Stulberg opened the public hearing.
Chairman Stulberg introduced Bill Pritchard of Orrin Thompson Homes. Mr. Pritchard
stated that they own a 40 -acre site in Northwest Plymouth near Schmidt Lake Road, east
of the high school. Mr. Pritchard requested that the connection of Schmidt Lake Road
across the railroad tracks be moved up to 1999 or 2000, as it would benefit the high
school, as well as their site.
Chairman Stulberg closed the public hearing.
Director Moore stated that the project is a an expensive segment to complete - $2,000,000
for a one-half mile roadway. Director Moore stated that there are many decisions yet to
make on Northwest Plymouth pertaining to collector streets. Chairman Stulberg asked if
nothing changes in Northwest Plymouth, if this project would remain in the CIP for 2002.
Director Moore replied affirmatively. He said that the traffic studies for the high school
were done without the connection on Schmidt Lake Road, and did not show a need right
now, but rather sometime before the year 2020.
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MOTION by Commissioner Koehnen, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner
recommending approval of the 1998-2002 Capital Improvements Program for the City of
Plymouth.
Commissioner Koehnen commented that the CIP should remain flexible as staff and the
Commission take a look at the Comprehensive Plan and Northwest Plymouth.
Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by the City of Plymouth to accept the Planning
Commission 1997 Annual Report and 1998 Work Program.
Chairman Stulberg expressed his thanks to staff and the other commissioners for the work
that was accomplished.
Director Hurlburt gave an overview of the February 5, 1998 staff report on the work
completed in 1997. Chairman Stulberg found the figure for 1997 average permit value for
single family dwellings interesting. Director Hurlburt stated that the 1996 average was
skewed because of the Rockford Glen development, which included homes in a moderate
price range.
MOTION by Commissioner Koehnen, seconded by Commissioner Ribbe to adopt the
1997 Planning Commission Annual Report. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved
unanimously.
Director Hurlburt gave an overview of the January 29, 1998 staff report on the 1998
Work Program.
Chairman Stulberg stated that it would be nice for staff to work with the Commission to
educate them on the more technical side of the Comprehensive Plan to allow them to
make informed decisions. Director Hurlburt stated that staff would be giving the
Commission background and basics on each step of the process.
MOTION by Commissioner Koehnen, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to adopt the
1998 Work Plan. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
B. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIRMAN
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February 10, 1998
Page #25
MOTION by Commissioner Koehnen, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner nominating
Mike Stulberg for Chair. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Chairman Stulberg nominating Allen
Ribbe for Vice -Chair. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously.
8. OLD BUSINESS
A. CITY OF PLYMOUH (97180)
Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by the City of Plymouth to review the draft Sign
Ordinance.
Building Official Joe Ryan provided the Commission with minutes from the meetings held
with the business community, and gave an update of what has transpired since the last
Planning Commission meeting.
Commissioner Stein questioned why signs can be 36 square feet in the Commercial
District versus 16 feet in the Office Residential District. Director Hurlburt explained that
the Office Residential District is less because it is a "transitional" district, and in close
proximity to residential areas. Commissioner Stein asked if there is a way to impose a
lower limit in the commercial area. Director Hurlburt commented that it would be
inconsistent from what the city has done for a long time and what other cities do.
Planning Supervisor Senness stated that there were some modifications in the Plymouth
Station PUD. Director Hurlburt noted that they can customize requirements in a PUD.
She stated that the amendment wouldn't require anyone to change their current signs.
Commissioner Koehnen asked if staff received any response from school districts
regarding electronic signs. Building Official Ryan replied negatively. He said that most
comments received were asking if their current signs can remain in place.
Chairman Stulberg asked why only a few signs are allowed in the public right of way.
Building Official Ryan stated that once signs are allowed in the public right-of-way, the
City loses its regulatory ability to remove them. Director Hurlburt stated that the City
doesn't allow them now, and we not proposing to change them. Building Official Ryan
stated that the amendment attempts to provide greater opportunity for special event signs.
It was the consent of the commission to move forward with the public hearing at their
meeting on February 24, 1998.
B. Change of meeting dates.
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February 10, 1998
Page #26
Planning Supervisor Senness gave an overview of the memo of February 10, 1998. The
March meetings will be held on the 10 and 17th
Director Hurlburt stated the Commission will receive a notebook containing the inventory
portion of the Comprehensive Plan, which they should keep to add further elements of the
plan.
MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to adjourn.
Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at
8:07 p.m.