HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Minutes 11-13-1984It
6
SlM MY MOTES
3OIMT PaTINc roR nAmimc COl assiON/CI i Y t MIL
November 1S, 1984
Council Members Presents Mayor Dave "Ap Councilmeabers Schnelder, Neils,
Gain and Moen
Planning Comilssioners Presents Chairperson Vasiliou, Commissioners Magnus,
Stulberg, Pauba, Plufka, and Steigerweld
Commissioners Absents Cowlssioner Mire
Staff Presents City Manager Willis, Community Development
Director Tremere, Associate Planner Cottingham,
Assistant City Manager ieis, '611c works
Director Moore, and City Engineer tIldberg
Mayor Davenport called the meeting to Order at 600 P.M., and explained the first item
of discussion, as which staff discipline should be represented at Comsission meet-
ings. Community Development Director Tremere stated that, the specific question was
whether there was a need to have a representative of the Engineering Department at all
Planning Commission meetings. Extensive discussion ensued, and Commissioner Stulberg
stated that he felt Engineering input was valuable, especially at Public Hearings.
Chairwoman 4asiliou concurred.
Councilwmber Schneider inquired whether there was a way to predict when engineering
input probably would be needed? so that attendance by an Engineering representative
could be plannede further discussion ensued, and Commissioner Stulberg and Stelgerwald
stated that they believe there is a need for an Engineering representative at most
meetings, to either respond to Commissioners questions, or to questions from the pub-
lic. Commissioner wauba noted that the Commission often disseminates information via
the Engineering and Planning staff representatives, that the City Council does not, due
to time constraints. Chairwoman Vasiliou stated, there was often a need for back-up
information when questions are raised by petitioners or by citizens.
She also stated that issue<, raised by the developer, need to be responded to as quickly
as possible, especially if there are neighbors present, and that it would be appropri-
ate to continue having an Engineering representative at the meetings. Public works
Director Moore commented, that he was concerned about the possibility of the City
Engineer getting in between the developer's desires, as he attempted to convince the
Planning Comission of a certain position, so that he would have a more substantial
position then when a presentation was made to the City Council, and the technical re-
quirements of the City Codes and Ordinances, as reflected in the Engineer's Manoran-
dus. He stated that the petitioner's own engineers should have an understanding of the
basic engineering issues, and should be able to provide answers at the seetingg he
noted that often the City staff gets Information from them about the projects.
Councilsesber Crain and Commissioner Pauba stated, however, that the City Engineer
should be represented so that all sides of an issue can be appropriately presented.
It was the consensus to continue having a representative of the Engineering Department
at Planning Commission meetings.
Mayor Davenport stated that the next item was raised by him, to assure that Commission-
ers and Councileembers were aware of the Physical Constraints Analysis this Nak: be4n
pprepared by Barton-Aschman Associates, when the City's Comprehensive Plan was updated.
Cbmbninity Development Director Tremere explained the use of the analysis, as well as
Pity Pollov adf ted by the City Council several years ago.
0 Page two
Summary -Notes of Comiiasion/Council aolnt Meeting, November 139 19A4
Discussion mmuied regarding the suggestion that perhaps, there shob.1' be a distinct
section of the staff rerA t, indicating hoe a prospective development mateches up to the
criteria set forth in the Physical Constraints Analysis. Commissioner Paubp stated,
this could then be viewed as background intormaticne
Community Development Director Tremere noted that, the Planning staff usually rotors to
the Analysis, or at least to the Analysis Sections that are in the Comprehensive Plan,
during the routine review of development plans. Further, the Development Review Casa
mittee will advise developers when portions of the Constraints Analysis apply to their
particular project.
Mayor Davenport observed that the Planning Commission was very enthused about the Anal-
ysis when it was developed, and he was concerned that its value to the City not be lost
with the passage of time, and the change of personnel.
Planning Director Tremere stated that the next item involved the status of review of
the matter involving Zoning Ordinance lot coverage standards in Residential Districts,
The Planning Commission and Board of Zoning Adj%.stments and Appeals, reviewed this sate
ter on October 26, 19849 at a Study Meeting, He explained that the City Council had
directed a review of the Ordinance standards, since there recently had been concern
from certain builders and developers of Planned Unit Developments, that larger houses
were difficult to build on smaller lots in the PUD's, because of the application of the
Zoning Ordinance maximum lot coverage requirements.
There was a consensus that the problem centers on Planned Unit Developments, and is
often aggravated by the desire to have large accessory structures, such as decks and
so-called threeeseason porches.
Cheirwanidi Vasiliou commented about Counellmember Crain's concern with the increase in
impervious surfaces, and the impact it might have on the Storm Sewer System. She too
caped earlier Council concern about reduced lot sizes, and the impact upon the sewer
system. Councilmember Schneider and Mayor Davenport clarified that, the Council's
earlier concern had been with the sanitary sewer capacity for the City, and not the
Storm Server System, noting that those concerns had been raised during discussions of
the report by former Planning Commissioner Larry Larsen. There was discussion as to
the status of the so -galled "Larsen Report", and Mayor Davenport confirmed that, as far
as the City Cot -atoll is concerned, the matters raised by the report have been addressed
and there are no remaining matters to be pursued, particularly with respect to reducing
the conventional lot size standards in the Zoning Ordinance,
Councilmember Schneidtr emphasised that, the problem regarding ground coverage deals
with PO's which have smaller lots. Councilmember Plufka cited the experiences of the
Board of Zoning, and noted that the City will be increasingly dealing with homeowners,
as well as with developers and builders.
Councilmember Mean observed, that staff had suggested a possible option would be to not
calculate accessory structures at all, or at a lesser ratio than primary structures, in
determining the maximum ground coverage.
Community Development Director Tremere explained that, the problem needs to be addres-
sed up front, so the Building Official isn't placed in a difficult position when the
application tat a permit is received. The matter of ground coverage could be easily
addressed by the developer, when concept and preliminary plans are submitted for Plano
1rM Unit Developments.
J
ftp three,
Summmwwy Notes of Commmission/Counoil 3oint Neeting, November 199 1984
Extenaive discussion ensued, and it was observed, that while some developers seem to be
having difficulty- with this requirement, others have proportionately sired their homes
to U* sdillf* lsts, " have apparently had no difficulty with the Ordinance maximum
lot cow#xage requirement. Commissioner Plufka suggested that, a way to handle the
issue witty Planned Unit Developments, would be to be more definitive as to "buildable
area" while the plans are being reviewed. The Ordinance allows flexibility for Planned
Unit, Developments.
Chairwoman Vasillou explained that it was the intent of the Commission and the Board of
Zoning Adjustments, to get further input from developers and builders through the
Plymouth Development Council. Mayor Davenport expressed concern that the mmatti-t of lot
sizes in conventional plats should not be reopened, nor deliberatndl he emphasised
that the issue should be confined to maximum ground coveragm rmpiremments.
Councilmember Schneider indicated again that, the issue could be limited to Planned
Unit Nvelopmments.
It was the consensus of the Commission and Council, that the Planning Commission should
require developers to address the mutter of maximum ground coverage at the Concept and
Preliminary Plan stages, and to therefore develop recommendations for City Council
consideration, as is now done with respect to setbacks.
Mayor Davehport explained that the next item was raised by him following several recent
Council actions on Planning applications, which suggested that cowmercial uses were
encroaching into the Industrial District. He cited the purpose and intent of the I-1
District, as reflected in the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance, and stated that
the City would need to be continually cautious about assuring that various uses were in
the appropriate Zoning Districts.
Ol uussion ensued, and It was concluded that the Council concurs with existing
Ordinance provisions, but realizes that perhaps a greater enforcement effort is needed
by the City to assure that the intent of the Ordinances are meet.
Commissioner Plufka agreed, and noted his concern that an Inequity can arise it retail
commercial businesses are allowed to locate in the Industrial District, and occupy
Industrial buildings, whereas their competitors are located in the appropriate
designated commercial zoning areas.
A discussion ensued regarding the status of the several payor/Council Agenda items%
Regarding the Culding and Zoning Reconciliation project, t1%e City Manager noted that
there were essentially three areas of the City remaining to be finally resolved, and
two of them had been deterred by the City Councill the third Iters had been deferred
until next September by the Planning Commission. Mayce Davenport stated that the
Planning Commission Minutes indicated the Commission tabled the item;, since the status
of the Pike Lake Interceptor Sewer might not be finalized until next year, when it is
expected that the City will bear from the Tennant Company about the status of their
development. He stated, hoelNer, that the Commission should forward items onto the
Counoil, as they did with the other Reconciliation matters, so that the Council can
decide whether extended de?erral, or any other action would by appropriate%
Councilnmemmber Schneider agreed, and stated that the Commission should reconsider their
action, and forward the Reconciliation item on to the Council with a recommendation.
Managgeer Mollis concurred, find stated that staff would prefer that the City Council
tesnlve these Issues%
L
O
ftse tour
Smeary Nates of Com Ission/Co mall point Meeting, November 13, 1901
Davenport asked the City Manager to see than tho Planning flssion and the
Arks and Recreation Advisory Comission, were provided with copies_ of the
Ai9 nistrative Meeorandun, which is distributed to the City Council with their agenda
packet.