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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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 10, 1998 Page #22 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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 10, 1998 Page #23 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes February 10, 1998 Page #24 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 Approved Planning Commission Minutes 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. Approved Planning Commission Minutes 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.