Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 05-12-1998APPROVED CITY OF PLYMOUTH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MAY 12, 1998 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Allen Ribbe, John Stoebner, Kim Koehnen, and Bob Stein MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Roger Berkowitz and Jeff Thompson STAFF PRESENT: Community Development Director Anne Hurlburt, Planning Supervisor Barb Senness, Planners John Rask and Shawn Drill, City Engineer Dan Faulkner, and Clerical Supervisor Denise Hutt 1. CALL TO ORDER: 2. PUBLIC FORUM: Roger Handberg of 3630 Zanzibar Lane. Mr. Handberg asked how the residents of Sugar Hills can communicate with the Planning Commission. Mr. Handberg wanted to know why the Planning Commission Meeting of May 5, 1998 was not publicized. He said that he was at the Community Development counter on Friday, and was told there wasn't a meeting on May 5th, and there wasn't an agenda. Mr. Handberg commented that it would be helpful to have a redlined version of Zoning Ordinance amendments. Director Hurlburt stated that the Planning Commission Meetings are noted on the official calendar, publicized on cable television, and agendas available at the Community Development counter. Director Hurlburt asked Mr. Handberg to let her know who he talked with at the counter so she could correct the situation. Director Hurlburt said that a redline version of Zoning Ordinance amendments could be mailed out, if requested, at no charge. Chairman Stulberg stated that the Administration Department has a roster of the Planning Commissioners. He said that Sugar Hills residents can contact their representative from Ward 1 or all of the Commissioners. Director Hurlburt noted that since the Planning Commissioners are volunteers, some information such as Commissioner's phone numbers may not be public information. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 5. PRESENTATION: APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #93 A. Presentation by Builders Association of The Twin Cities, "The Future is Now." Karen Christofferson, Public Policy Director for the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC) commented that the two issues that face builders today is land availability and the cost associated with building residential housing and development. She said that BATC made the decision to tackle the issue of land availability first. Ms. Christofferson said that BATC didn't agree with the information coming from the Metropolitan Council, so they undertook their own study. One of the results of their study indicated that there is a land shortage within the metropolitan area, meaning available, developable land. Ms. Christofferson showed a video that she hoped would be used an educational tool for the City. 6. CONSENT AGENDA: A. ANDERSON JOHNSON ASSOCIATES (98058) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Anderson Johnson Associates for a Site Plan Amendment to modify the entrance and drive aisle at Armstrong High School located at 10635 36th Avenue North. MOTION by Commissioner Koehnen, seconded by Commissioner Ribbe recommending approval of a Site Plan Amendment to allow reconstruction of the entrance and drive aisle at Armstrong High School, 10635 36th Avenue North. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 7. PUBLIC HEARINGS: A. LUNDELL PROPERTIES, LLP (98052) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Lundell Properties, LLP for a Site Plan Amendment for a 50,600 square foot building addition and an Interim Use Permit to reduce the number of required parking stalls for property located at 2700 Ranchview Lane North. Planner Rask gave an overview of the May 6, 1998 staff report. Chairman Stulberg introduced Tom Lundell, the petitioner. Mr. Lundell stated that they could construct additional parking spaces on the southwest corner of the site if needed due to expansion of the facility. APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #94 Commissioner Koehnen commented that during her site visit, there was ample parking spaces available. She asked if the cars in the parking area belonged to the employees. Mr. Lundell replied affirmatively. Chairman Stulberg opened the public hearing. Chairman Stulberg introduced a letter dated May 7, 1998 by Griffiths Corporation of 2717 Niagara Lane North stating that they do not oppose the application. Chairman Stulberg introduced Brad McDonnell of 2765 Ranchview Lane North. Mr. McDonnell stated that he doesn't oppose the expansion, but is only concerned with the noise associated with new construction. He stated that he is opposed to the hours of construction, mainly taking place from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Mr. McDonnell said that noise from construction activity is getting to the point that it is affecting their quality of life, and he is moving because of the noise. He said that the value of his property is decreasing because construction noise is having a negative affect on his property value. Mr. McDonnell suggested that the hours of construction be amended to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Chairman Stulberg closed the pubic hearing. Planner Rask noted that the Ordinance allows construction during the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If they operate beyond those hours, residents should contact the Public Safety Department to file a complaint. Mr. Lundell stated that the construction would begin in early June and completed by the end of the year. He said there should not be a lot of construction noise associated with a pre -cast building, other than the excavation. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Koehnen recommending approval of a Site Plan Amendment for a building addition and an Interim Use Permit to reduce the number of required parking stalls located at 2700 Ranchview Lane North. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. B. RANDALL BEGIN (98060) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Randall Begin for Rezoning from FRD Future Restricted Development) to RSF-1 (Single Family Detached 1) for property located at 12305 Old Rockford Road. The rezoning would allow a single family home to be rebuilt on the site. Planner Drill gave an overview of the May 6, 1998 staff report. APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #95 Chairman Stulberg introduced Robert Mansfield of 1300 Wachtler Avenue, representing the petitioner. Mr. Mansfield stated that as far as he knew, Mr. Begin concurred with the staff report. Commissioner Ribbe asked if Mr. Begin owns the adjoining lot. Mr. Mansfield replied affirmatively. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on the issue. MOTION by Commissioner Stoebner, seconded by Commissioner Koehnen recommending approval of an Ordinance amending Chapter 21 (Zoning Ordinance) of the City Code to classify certain land located at 12305 Old Rockford Road and the Findings of Fact for Rezoning. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. 8. NEW BUSINESS: A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (98061) Chairman Stulberg introduced the review of the draft City Center Streetscape Study. Planning Supervisor Senness gave an overview of the April 30, 1998 memo and presented a video. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that the consultant is in process of fine- tuning the concepts, developing priorities, and coming up with funding alternatives for the improvements. She said the item should be ready to come back to the Commission sometime this summer for a public hearing. Planning Supervisor Senness noted that many comments from the open house pertained to more screening of parking lots and the importance of more vegetation. Commissioner Ribbe asked where the money would come from for the improvements. Planning Supervisor Senness replied that the funds would most likely come from a variety of sources and be made over time. Some options include money from land owners as they develop their properties; a special assessment district in the downtown area; capital improvements program; and NSP for some lighting. Commissioner Koehnen commented that traffic circles work very well in Great Britain, and traffic does not stack up. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that there has been a lot of concern with how to get safely across Plymouth Boulevard. She said that the City has looked at a traffic circle alone, but the study showed we needed more than one type of improvement to guide traffic safely through the area. Commissioner Ribbe asked if the success of the traffic circle is intertwined with the streets that approach them. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that the idea is that they help to APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #96 slow the traffic. Director Hurlburt commented that the road would be very different from what it is now, once the street is narrowed and with the addition of the bumpouts, the speed will be lowered. Commissioner Ribbe noted that the speed at which traffic approaches the traffic circle can be dangerous. Director Hurlburt said that this proposal would be only one lane around the circle. Planning Supervisor Senness said the median would be widened to help move traffic around, and signage would also be an important part of the overall package. Commissioner Koehnen stated that it looks like it would provide an orderly progression into an intersection. Chairman Stulberg asked if public sentiment has changed on the traffic circle since residents have been able to see the drawing. Planning Supervisor Senness replied that the reaction has been mixed. People still worry about getting across and safety issues. Director Hurlburt commented that it is hard to show people how something would work from a set of plans. She said that they have heard from some people that traffic should be slowed down on Plymouth Boulevard. Chairman Stulberg said that one thing that might help people to understand is a computer-aided model that shows how a traffic circle works. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that she has talked about that option with the consultant. She said that one of the advantages of using SRF as a consultant is they pass all of the information by their traffic engineers. Director Hurlburt noted that the SRF traffic engineers are supplying the design of the traffic circle. Commissioner Koehnen wondered how the traffic circle would help pedestrian traffic crossing. Commissioner Stein stated that he could see cars having to stop for pedestrians. Commissioner Koehnen stated that she would need more information how that would work. Commissioner Stein said that it's a good plan overall and his only concern is how it would affect the residents of Sugar Hills. Director Hurlburt explained that the character of Vicksburg Lane varies greatly depending upon where you are, which provides some opportunities and some challenges. The plan for landscaping and lighting is different depending on which section of the street you are at. Most of the proposed improvements are on the east side. There will be more lanes of traffic on Vicksburg Lane south of 36th Avenue. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that some residents from Sugar Hills thought there should be pedestrian lighting, and that the treed edging should be maintained. Commissioner Stein asked if there would be options for staging the improvements. Planning Supervisor Senness replied that the consultant is working on that now. APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #97 B. CONSIDER INITITION OF REGUIDING AND REZONING Chairman Stulberg introduced the consideration of initiation of reguiding and rezoning of 4.14 acres of property located at the northwest corner of Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55. Planning Supervisor Senness gave an overview of the April 29, 1998 memo. Commissioner Stein asked what the access point would be to the site. Planning Supervisor Senness replied that it would be off of 35th Avenue with a cul-de-sac. She said that the City did have the traffic consultant look at carrying through the street to the Moen Leuer property. Director Hurlburt said that the current proposal says no access from 36th Avenue. She stated that the City is concerned that the land south of 35th Avenue be compatible with City Center. She said that the restaurant may be more appropriate rather than the funeral home that is being proposed. City Center zoning along with the guiding would ensure compatibility with City Center. Commissioner Stein asked if this has been discussed with Mr. Harstad. Director Hurlburt replied affirmatively, and there shouldn't be any opposition. Commissioner Stein asked if it wouldn't be easier to accomplish this through a Planned Unit Development (PUD) since there isn't any opposition likely. Director Hurlburt replied that isn't possible for Mr. Harstad due to personal financial issues relating to purchasing. Chairman Stulberg introduced Roger Handberg of 3630 Zanzibar Lane North. Mr. Handberg commented that the land use guide indicates that the property is commercial office and has been that way for a long time. He said that the residents of Sugar Hills want consistency from throughout the area to City Center. Mr. Handberg stated that he read the detail of the traffic study which stated that five options were studied and four of the five options created a major traffic jam at Highway 55. He said that reguiding the site would also create a traffic jam. He said that the City could still get the benefit by leaving it O -R through other options. Mr. Handberg said the residents feel this would be a major setback on the thought process. Director Hurlburt said if the City thought the current guiding and zoning would give us the tools for compatibility, we wouldn't be recommending the reguiding. The uses and development standards are very different. She said the recommendations that the City will be making will be dealing with the traffic the way the traffic study is predicting. MOTION by Commissioner Stein, seconded by Commissioner Ribbe to set a public hearing on the potential reguiding and rezoning for 4.14 acres of property located at the northwest corner of Vicksburg Lane and Highway 55. Vote. 5 Ayes. MOTION approved unanimously. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that notices will go out immediately to the residents within 750 feet of the site. APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #98 C. COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE/NORTHWEST PLYMOUTH Director Hurlburt gave an overview of the materials that the Commission received in their packets. She said that another issue of Northwest Notes will go out by Friday, May 15. Director Hurlburt stated that copies of what the Commission received will be available at City Hall should any resident like a copy. Chairman Stulberg asked staff to discuss the process involved. Mr. David Licht, consultant gave an overview of the memo dated May 7, 1998 outlining the suggested approach. He said that staff is suggesting a two stage process. The first involved a broad, macro scale consideration of to what extent, if any, growth is to occur and take place in the northwest area. Mr. Licht stated that a selection is critical. The second stage is a narrower, micro scale evaluation that can take place on the detailed aspects of a plan for the area. Mr. Licht commented that he is getting concerned with the timetable. Chairman Stulberg asked when a decision should be made by the City Council on the growth option. Director Hurlburt stated that staff would like to finish as soon as possible, but this is the toughest as far as the public is concerned. The Commission scheduled their workshop for June 30, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. to be held in the Public Safety Training room. Commissioner Koehnen stated that she could not attend the workshop. A recommendation should be made by the Commission at their regular meeting on July 14, 1998. Staff will try to schedule a City Council workshop the first part of August and put it on their August agenda for a decision on the growth option. Director Hurlburt said that the intent is to complete the land planning portion by the end of 1998. Mr. Licht gave an overview of the May 7, 1998 memo pertaining to the summary of resident and property owner responses received on the feedback forms from the northwest area open house held on April 16, 1998. Mr. Licht said that he is not certain that people have an appreciation of the number of people that could be accommodated in the northwest area. Director Hurlburt gave an overview of the memo dated May 8, 1998 outlining the household and population forecasts. She said that if the Commission has any questions pertaining to the basic forecasting formulas, they should be raised now. Director Hurlburt stated that staff will be bringing forth various types of housing and different scenarios as to the fiscal impact on the City of Plymouth umder the various options. Commissioner Stein asked if the Metropolitan Council's figures assume the high density forecast. Director Hurlburt answered that the their figures are based on all land within the City being serviced and within the MUSA. APPROVED Planning Commission Minutes May 12, 1998 Page #99 Commissioner Koehnen stated that the seminar "Beyond The Basics" that she attended was very worthwhile, and thanked the residents for allowing her to attend. She said that she has information available on the new trail that she received at the last Park and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting. Commissioner Ribbe stated he couldn't attend the May 26th meeting. MOTION by Commissioner Ribbe, seconded by Commissioner Stoebner to adjourn. Vote. 5 Ayes. The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.