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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.