HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 07-27-1999 Special 2Adopted Minutes
Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
Plymouth Comprehensive Plan Update
Tuesday, July 27,1999
A special joint meeting of the Plymouth City Council and Planning Commission was
called to order by Mayor Tierney at 7:00 p.m. in the City Center, 3400 Plymouth Blvd.,
on July 27, 1999.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Mayor Tierney; Councilmembers Brown, Black, Harstad,
Johnson, Bildsoe, and Slavik.
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: None.
PLANNING COMMISSION PRESENT: Chairman Stulberg, Commissioners Ribbe,
Berkowitz, Stein, and Reinhardt.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: None.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Johnson, Park and Recreation Director Blank,
Community Development Director Hurlburt, Planning Supervisor Senness, Public Works
Director Moore, and Deputy City Clerk Hoffman.
B. Status Report on Comprehensive Plan Update
Community Development Director Hurlburt presented an update on the status of the
proposed land use guide plan amendments. She said this update is required every ten
years. She outlined the timeline for the plan approval by the Metropolitan Council and
final adoption by the Council. She introduced Charleen Zimmer of SRF Consultants, who
summarized the status of various pieces of the project. Ms. Zimmer said all of the
background work is complete, as well as the first run of the forecast for the transportation
element, the recommendations on the focus areas, and the needs assessment work on the
parks element. She said chapters on community background, housing, water resources,
sewer and water, and transportation are underway. She said at the August meeting the
housing, land use, and transportation recommendations will come before the group for
review. She said at the September meeting the panel will review the parks, water and
sewer sections, with a full draft coming for approval in October.
C. Proposed Land Use Guide Plan Amendments, Existing Urban Area—Discuss
and Give Direction for Draft Land Use Plan
Director Hurlburt reviewed the stages of the Draft Land Use Plan creation, and outlined
the four options available as recommended by the Planning Commission regarding the
fourteen focus areas proposed for change in the Comprehensive Plan Update. She said the
staff recommendations come after public hearings and public comment sessions. She said
Councilmembers could continue to consider an amendment which would be included in
the draft Land use Plan, eliminate an amendment from consideration, or designate areas
to be studied further after the Plan adoption. She said the Planning Commission has
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Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1999
Page 2
recommended a fourth category to continue studying an area without designating an area
as a study area and without showing it as a study area on the Plan. Staff believes this
option is unnecessary.
She reviewed the locations of the 14 focus areas and summarized the Planning
Commission recommendations. She said the recommendations are made in an effort to
set priorities for later study and land use guiding.
The Planning Commission agreed to support the staff recommendations.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
eliminate Focus Area 1 from further study.
Councilmember Black said she has met with business owners in this area, and believes it
is not ready for redevelopment at this time.
Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to
accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission on Focus Area 2.
Anna Marie Lee, 1105 W. Medicine Lake Drive, recommended elimination of Area 2-5
from further study since the area across the street is also being eliminated.
Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
accept the Planning Commission recommendation on Focus Area 3 to designate the area
for further study. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Black, to
accept the Planning Commission recommendation on Focus Area 4 to eliminate the
Dundee and Tri—State properties from consideration but to continue to consider the
amendment for the rest of the area. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to
accept the Planning Commission recommendation on Focus Area 5 to continue to
consider the amendment. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Harstad, to
accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission on Focus Area 6 to continue to
consider the amendment. Motion carried, six ayes; Johnson nay.
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Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1999
Page 3
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
amend the Planning Commission recommendation, to designate all of Elements 19, 20,
and 21 of Focus Area 7 as study areas.
Councilmember Bildsoe said he did not disagree with staff findings and Planning
Commission recommendations, but felt it is important to consider the area as a whole.
Jim Yarosh, an attorney representing Fine Properties and Boyer Palmer, asked the
Council to consider priorities for the area. He asked that the area at the intersection of
Highway 55 and old Rockford Rd be removed from future study and continue to be
considered for commercial development.
Councilmember Black said the areas are difficult to access if they will be used as
residential properties, and they seem to connect more easily with the commercial zoning.
Councilmember Johnson said she supports the motion because she is not certain the area
should be rezoned.
Councilmember Harstad said he will not support the motion because the areas could be
contentious for two or three years further, and he believes the Council should use the
study idea sparingly.
Councilmember Slavik said she supports the motion and believes the area needs further
study. '
Motion carried, four ayes, Brown, Black, and Harstad nay.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission for Focus Area 8 to continue to
consider the amendment. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Mayor Tierney, to accept the
recommendation of the Planning Commission to continue to study Focus Area 9. Motion
carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to
accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission for further study of Focus Area
10.
Jim Yarosh stated that the realignment of County Road 61 through the area now allows
the property owner to finally develop the area commercially. He asked the Council to
eliminate the area from further study.
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Joint City Council/ Planning Commission- Meeting
July 27, 1999
Page 4
Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
eliminate Focus Area 11 from further study.
Motion was made by Councilmember Harstad, seconded by Councilmember Slavik, to
call the question. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Main motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Bildsoe, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to
accept the Planning Commission recommendation on Focus Area 12 to eliminate the
amendment from further consideration. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Black, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to
accept the Planning Commission recommendation for Focus Area 13 to continue to
consider the amendment. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe to
accept the Planning Commission recommendation for Focus Area 14 to continue to
consider the amendment. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Director Hurlburt indicated that the staff would be proposing an amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance to ensure that the veterinary clinic located in this area would not be
made a non—conforming use.
Mayor Tierney allowed two members of the audience address Focus Area 6.
Robert Guerin, 17195 35`h
Place North, said residents unanimously oppose proposed
zoning changes that would allow higher density residential area.
Motion was made by Councilmember Slavik, seconded by reconsider the motion on
Focus Area 6.
Bruce Nokleby, 4455 Urbandale Court, a 31 -year resident of the area, said he is
concerned about higher density housing proposed for the area. He said traffic on
Highways 55 and 101 is going to be worse if there is higher residential development in
the area.
Councilmember Slavik asked to reconsider the motion because she failed to see the
residents' petition when the first vote was made. She also asked to consider the views of
the residents, and to consider further study of the area.
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Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1999
Page 5
Motion to reconsider Area 6 passed, four ayes, Brown, Black, and Harstad nay.
Motion was made by Councilmember Johnson, seconded by Councilmember Slavik, to
amend the motion to accept the Planning Commission recommendation and continue to
consider the amendment to make Focus Area 6 a study area.
Councilmember Johnson said she wants to talk further with area landowners and
residents. She supports putting it in a study area.
Community Development Director Hurlburt said there are serious access and
transportation issues south of Highway 55 and between Highway 101 and Urbandale
Court. She said development opportunities are complicated, and it is unrealistic to expect
low density housing development given what is known about the area today.
Councilmember Black said that Highway 55 will continue to be a high traffic route
whether or not it is desirable. She believes the area is more suited to higher density
housing, and supports the staff recommendation.
Amendment failed, three ayes, Brown, Black, Harstad, and Tierney nay.
Original motion passed four ayes, Johnson, Bildsoe, and Slavik nay.
Mayor Tierney called for a break.
D. 2020 Urban Expansion Area Sewer Staging and Land Use Plans—Discuss and
Give Direction for Draft Land Use and Sewer Plans
Community Development Director Hurlburt said this item is before both the Planning
Commission and the City Council for the first time. She said planning for Northwest
Plymouth is impacted by new information on the update of a sewer plan, the alignment of
Fernbrook and Cheshire Lanes, and the approval of the plan for the Eagle Lake Golf
Course. She said one of the issues involves whether an area north of the Canadian Pacific
Rail line and west of Vicksburg Lane shown on the map as "Optional Area #5" should be
added to the urban service area. She said there are also two properties on the north shore
of Lake Pomereau which is divided by the sewer service area "2—b". She said staff
recommends excluding the entire property from the sewer service area.
Public Works Director Moore reviewed the history of sewer development in city. He
presented recommendations of how the area could best be served with the existing sewer
system lines.
Motion was made by Chair Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Ribbe, to recommend
the parcels on the north shore of Lake Pomereau from the service area.
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Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1999
Page 6
Al Goblirsch, 5505 Vicksburg Lane, said he did not oppose inclusion of Area 5 north of
the Soo Line Railroad in the service area.
Planning Commission motion carried, five ayes.
Motion was made by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Bildsoe, to
Accept the Planning Commission recommendation to exclude the divided parcels from
the urban service area.
Councilmember Black said she was concerned that elements of the concept plan have
become a formal plan.
Councilmember Johnson said there has been very little discussion about housing densities
and land use.
Councilmember Black said her concern is with areas labeled for rural use, and how the
areas will remain rural once they are ringed by sewer lines. She said she is also concerned
about assessments that residents may have to pay without receiving services.
Public Works Director Moore said a major sewer line would have to go through public
areas, like the golf course, and that the major expense is not likely to be placed on
residents.
Motion carried, six ayes, Black nay.
Motion was made by Mayor Tierney, seconded by Councilmember Johnson, to include
Area 5 in the service area.
Planning Commission Chair Stulberg said that to include Area 5 in the service area would
open the door to allow further development in that area and erode the rural quality of the
area.
Brady O'Brien, 5335 Vicksburg Lane, owns the parcel on Vicksburg north of the Soo
Line Railroad. He believes it would be more economical to develop the sewer line
through the area. He said development is already occurring in the area.
Councilmember Black said she is concerned about the westward creep of development if
Area 5 is included in the service area. She is concerned that no plan exists to protect the
rural quality of the area.
Al Goblirsch, said it would be more practical for the sewer service to go north on
Vicksburg Lane. He said the land is no longer suitable for agriculture.
Adopted Minutes
Joint City Council/ Planning Commission Meeting
July 27, 1999
Page 7
Paul Wardell, 16395 County Road 47, said he is troubled because he believes that the
zoning decisions have been made, and if the Council changes those decisions, it appears
to be a breach of trust. He said he is concerned that people attended and made comments
at earlier meetings and they can't trust what happens when they are not in the meeting
room.
Councilmember Johnson said she wished to discuss some of the issues further.
Mayor Tierney said she believes one of the worst things to do is to make a plan and then
change that plan little by little, year by year.
Motion was made by Councilmember Brown, seconded by Councilmember Black, to call
the question. Motion carried, seven ayes.
Motion to include Area 5 in the service area failed, Mayor Tierney aye, six nays.
E. Northwest Greenway Concept
Charleen Zimmer of SRF explained the term greenway is a green space area of varying
character, a unifying system of open space, parks, and trails. She said the goal is to
preserve the natural features of the city, following natural wetland areas rather than
existing streets.
Park Director Blank said this is simply a concept plan. He said if no plan is drawn, many
ideas may go undeveloped. He said the greenway could be achieved through the
development of easements, the outright purchase of land, or through the use of private
property. He said the Park and Recreation Advisory Committee has asked to continue
exploring the concept. He said they wish to start prioritizing segments of the plan.
Ms. Zimmer said a draft is scheduled for review by PRAC in September.
Paul Wardell commended the City for its effort on this plan.
F. Receive "Community Background" Chapter of Draft Comprehensive Plan
Document
Director Hurlburt said the report provided was background information on the first part
of the Comprehensive Plan Update. She said staff will present the entire Comprehensive
Plan in October.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 p.m. t
i
DeputyC Clerk