HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 06-19-1990CITY OF PLYMOQTH
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
JUNE 19, 1990
The Special Meeting of thi City of Plymouth, Planning
Commission was called to orde- at 7*.00 p.m.
MEMBERS PREfENT.- Chalrmti Richard Plufka, Commissioners
John W re, Dennis Zylla, Joy Tierney,
Larry Phrofsky and Michael Stulberg.
MEMBERS ABSENT -k Commissioner Hal Pierce.
STAFF PRESENT: Coordinator Charles Dillerud and City
Enqinee'r Dan Faulkner.
Chairman Plufka announced that this was a special Planning COUNTY ROK0 24
Commission meeting to consider cortiments of the public with ALIGNMENT
respect to alternative alignments for County Road 24 south
of Medina Road to Vicksbu,.,g Lane and, Medina Road in the
vicinity of the intersection with County Road 24.
hairman Plufka introduced Rick Brown of the firm, Strgar-
R)scoe-Fausch, Inc. to present the alignment alternatives
developed by the City's traffic consultant.
Rick Brown introduced Mr. Bob Roscoe and 11r. Dennis Eyler,
also of Strgar-Ro.coe-Fausch, Inc,,
Mr. Brown presented a series of six alignment alternatives
for Ci,unty Road 24/County Road 9 between points south of
Medina Road and the intersection with Vicksburg Lane. He
noted that Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc. recommended an
alignment that is located westerly of the existing wetland
areas existing north and south of State Highway 55 and
east of Dunkirk Lane,. He stated that the recommended
alignment is based on the following positive
characteristics. -
1. Confirmation from W-nnesota DNR that all wetland
encroachment is avoiaea.
2. The fewest and the flattest curvatu-es.
3. Intersection with Highway 55 at :i stretch that is
both straight and not super elevated.
4. Phasing of the road construction would be
simplified.
Planning Corn.ission Minutes
Jane 19, 1990
Page 2
Chairman Plufka observed that the State of Minnesota has
ignored erosion control practices with the improvement
underway on Int. state 494. He asked the consultant if
the County could, at a later date, make improvements to a
new County Road 24/County Road 9, the construction of
which would ignore erosion control in the same manner and
cause the degradation of the wetland the City was now
trying so hard to avoid with the initial road location.
Mr. Brown indicated that erosion control measures were
currently required and will likely be even a more
important factor in the future. He said it is hard to
avoid some environmental degradation with a major roadway
adjacent to a wetland area.
Commissioner Wire inquired as to whether Vicksburg Lane
will continue to intersect Highway 55 at grade in the
future.
Mr. Eyler responded that the State may or may not permit
the continued irtersection of Vicksburg Lane with State
Highway 55 in the future based on whether Highway 55
becomes an expressway or a freeway.
Commissioner Marofsky asked Mr. Eyler what the purpose of
County Road 9/County Road 24 is. Mr. Eyler respozided,that
it will certainly function as a relief to State Highway.
55, but he also noted that County Road 24 County Road 9
would become the only eastwest roadway extending from one
side of Plymouth to the ofrer.
Commissioner Marofsky asked Mr. Eyler if a more indirect
connection of County Road 24 with County Road 9, would be
possible. Mr. Eyler respondedthat while it would be
physically possible, it would result in a substantial
amount of "turning traffic` thereby both reducing the
effict,inqy of the movf":-,rf and dramatically increasing the
incidence of aczide&s.
Commissioner Tierney asked Mr. Eyler if the future
improvewent of State Highway 55 would result it the
elimination of the two wetlands that were close, to the
County Road 24i'County Read 9 alignment alternatives.
Mr. Eyler responded that the existing right-of-way of
State Highway 55 has sufficient width to aceerizedate six
laces by use of the median area.
Cowmissioner Marofsky asked whether other non -04R
protected wetlands would be impacted by the County Road
24/County. Road 9 alignment recommended by Strgar.
Mr., Brvni re;pendtA that there would be some non-D4R
designated --ietlf-,AF that would , encroached upon by the
recommended. al c. -"Nit as well.
Planing Conmiission Minutes
IJune, 19, 1990
Page 3
Commissioner V%rofsky asked whether the Medina Road County
Road 24 inter -section would be signalized. City Engineer
Faulkner responded that oace warrants are achi(ved it
would be.
Commissioner Zy'lla asked why as many as six optional
routes were being presented.
Mr. brown responded that Henuepin County had produced a
tentative, center line routs and engineering consultants
representing property owners that would be impacted had
presented alternative routes as well. The City's
consultant had been d-rected by the City to consider all
suggestions as to a possible routing.
Chairman Plufka they o-)ened the Public Hearing. Chairman
Plafka excused Coumiiss,'oaer Stulberg from the Commission
table.
Commissioner Plufka introduced Mr. Merrill Birch, 1808
Black Oaks Place.
Mr. Birch indicated he represented a -,-!lurch that had
acquired in-srest in groperty r1orth of 55 and east
of Dunkirk Lane. He stated that tha Strgar-Ruscoe-Fausch,
Inc. recommended alignment will sever the site that the
church had tent,,tively agreed to acquire.
In response to a question by Coordinator Dillerad, Mr.
Birch indicated that the, east boundary of toe church',.
proposed acquisition is defined by the loCa-tion of the
County Road 9/County Road. 24 alignment.
Mr. Brown indicated that the intersection of Dunkirk Lane
with County Road 9 is subject to some flexibility,
regardless of the County Read 9/County Road 24 alignment
that is selected. He indicated that he believed the
church's requirements could be net regardless of the
alignment selected—assuming one of the west alignments.
Chairman Plufka introduced Jim Shaw, 2130 Urbandale Lane.
Mr. Shaw indicated that ate was in favor of a easterly
alignment 1•or the roadway based an a less complex land
purchase and a resulting lower cost.
Chairman Plufka introduced Mr. Richard Bloom, 14600
Woodruff Road, Wayzata.
Mr. Bloom indicated that he eepresented property ownership
south of flighwaY 55 in all fair quadrants oll' the proposed
Medina Road/County Road 24 intersection. He noted that
development plans had been drawn for this vicinity
assuming a more easterly alignment originally, and had
Planning Commission Minutes
June 19' 1990
Pap 4
recently been changed to reflect an alignment close to
that proposed by girgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc. He stated
that another of the six alignment options, designated "'MFR
West', and colored yellow on the graphic before the
Planning. Commission, reflected the alignment pyciposed by
those he represented, He stated that a development plan
had been presented to the City for this area using that
alignment option.
Mr. Bloom indicated that the "MFR West" alignmeni.
reflected linproved angle of intersection with Highway 55;
a movement of CouiNty Road 24 slightly to the southeast to
save trees on their site; and resulted in a reduced impact
on County Road 24 homes.
Chairman Plufka asked representatives of Strgar-Roscoe-
Fausch, Inc. to describe the d4fference between the "MFR
West" alignment and the alignment recommended by Strgar-
Roscoe-Fausch, Inc.
Mr. Brown responded that the `MFR West" alignment resulted
in slightly addod, curvature to the route, but the amount
of curvature adtied was not crucial.
City Enfj neer Faulkner added that the 11MFR West" alignment
was v,ot as nerfect as the Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc.
alignr.ant, butt entirely acceptable.
Commissioner v11a asked Mr. Bloom whether he really
preferred an easterly alignment.
Mr. Bloom responded that at this point an easterly
alignment would require, them to completely redo their
plans and therefore they preferred to retain the `MFR
West" alignment.
Chairman Plufka introduced Greg Frank, representing the
engineering firm of McCombs, Frank, Roos, Mr. Frank
indicated that he had no convients to present at this time.
Chairman Plufka introduced Hans Hagen, representing Hans
Hagen Homes.
Mr. Hagen indicated that his firm preferrec the "'IFR West"
alignment option for the same reasons provided in the
comments of Mr. Bloom. He noted that between his ling and
Mr. Bloom's the entire Medina Road/County Road 24
intersection area is currently controlled aad that the
right-of-way could be de.',-*,.ated. lie concluded that in
terms of land use, saving of trees, and preserving
wetlands, the 'IMFR West" alignment was the best available.
Chairman Plufka noted that George Jackson, 3200 Harbor
Lane; and Richard Owen, 17015 County Road 25 had szUbmitted
Plan,aiog Commission Minutes
June 19, 1990
Page 5
blue cards but were no longer in attendance to present
comments.
Chairman. Plufka introduced Bill Pritchard,, representing
U.S. Homes Corporation.
Mr. Pritchard Mated that he supported the "MER West"
alignment for many of the same reasons presented by Mr.
Ha9en and Mr., Bloom previously. He stated that "MFR West"
alignment provided for fewer i-eziant parcelsless tree
loss; better alignment with respect to State Highway 55;
less than a percent curvature; and somewhat less impact on
Dundee Nursery. He stated that earlier plans he had been
presented sbowed County Road 9 entirely off the property
controlled by U.S. HomL-s east of Dunkirk Lane and south of
Old County Road 9. He stated that his firm would accept
the Hennepin Counky alternative alignment as a less
desirable, but acceptable, compromise.
Chairman Plufka then introduced Mr. Jerry Theis, 801
Valley Drive.
Mr, Theis submitted a letter to the Planning Commissioners
stating his concerns.
Mr. Theis stated that he does not believe a grade
separation will be iequired at County Road 24/9 and State
Highway 55. He said he believed that County Road 6 will
relieve the desire to et west to Plymouth. He noted that
this situ. -,tion could ch,-,nge if an overpass were built at
Vicksburg rather than at at grade intersection in the
future.
Mr. Theis indicated that the current plans for Covnty Road
9/County Road, 24 if adopted with a west alignment will
inhibit the economics of Dundee Nursery since there will
continue to be a shadow over the future of their new
building. He noted that Oundee Nursery was a local
business, not a developer, and -their stake was their
continued existence in the building they had just
constructed.
Mr. Theis stated that the best option i,, the easterly
route because it would not require the acquisition of
developed land. He stated that he d'd n0t believe the
Thoroughfare Plan was accurate with respect to the
location of this thoroughfare.
Mr. Theis noted that if a wes
would -Advocate movement of t'
wetland at the northeast torr
DunirkLane as possible --even
over the wetland on some sort
had seen in other locations.
t alignment was selected he
e roadway as close to the
er of State Hiqhwa. y 55 and
cunstruction of the roedway
of a bridge structure as he
Planning
June 19,
Page 6
g
Coiltmission Minutes
1990
Mr. Theis concluded that regardless of the alignment
location selected, he would like to see the concept of a
separated grade interchange between County Road 24/County
Road 9 and Stag 'Highway 55 eliminated.
Chair-tvaii Plvfka stated that Tom Threlkeld, 4810 Oakview
Lane, submitted a blue card but no 'longer was present to
provide any comin.ents.
Chairman Plufka then introduced Mike Stulberg, 6010 Troy
Lane North.
Mr. Stulberg stated that he agreed with tiro comments of
Mr. Theis. He, noted that the recommended alignment shc0d
not assume a grade separated interchange. He obser.,..A'
that the proposedplan, particularly the separated grade
interchange, would further reduce the amount of planed
industrial land available in the community. He stated
that the 1989 Land Use Guide Plan Map changes approved by
the City Council had already reduced the amount of planned
industrial land available from what had previously been
available.
Mr. Stulberg concluded that it was imperative for all
property owners and those contemplating development in
this vicinity that. a decision be renderedas quickly -As
possible.
MOTION by Chairman Plufka, seconded by Commissioner MOTION TO APPROVE
Tierney to recourn.,-nd adoption of the County Road 24/County
Road Vtna Road corridor south of State Highway 55
11
consisf :,il-lh the alignment designate) `"MFR West" it the
traffi, ogineer's report.
Comm ,lover Marofsky stated that he did not believe that
the intersectictl of Medina Road and County Road! 24 was a
topic that was before the Planning Commission at the
present time.
MOTION to amend by Commissioner Marofsky, seconded by
Commissic;ier Tierney to delete the reference to Medina
Road in -Oie Main Motion. Commissioner Marofsky stated
that tie intent of his motion was to avoid "buying in" to
a PUD -Ilan by Hagen/bloom that was not scheduled for,
Commission consideration until the next meeting.
Chairman Plufka indicated that the alignment of Medina
Road, without reference to the Hagen/Bloom PUD Plan, was a
topic that should be considered by the Planning Commission
concurrent with the consideration of the Countv Road
24/County Road 9 alignment.
Roll Call Vote on inotion to amend. 2 Ayes. Commissioners
Wire, Zy'tla, and Chairman Plufka Nay. MOTION failed.
MOTION TO AMEND
VOTE - MOTION FAILED
Planning Commission Minutes
June 19, 1990
Page 7
MOTION by Commissioner Marofsky, seconded by Commissioner MOTION TO AMEND
Wire, to amend the Main Motion to state that the
Hagen/Bloom ('"MER West") route be recommended only if
there is a decision that a linkage between County Road 24
and existing County Road 9 at Vicksburg Lane is required.
Roll Call Vote on motion to amend. 3 Ayes.. Ch a i rm an
Plufka and Commissioner Wire Nay. MOTION carried.
Mr. Brown indicated that he would iesire that any decision
on these matters be subject to proper engineering
standards.
Commissioner Wire indicated that engineering standards
will prevail regardless of the decision rendered.
Commissioner Zylla indicated that it would be his
preference not to have connection between County Road 24
County goad 9 mad-, in any manner. i
Commissioner Wire indicated that oe preferred an east
alignment over a west alignment since it is *'cleaner" and
provides less impact on developed property.
Commissioner Marofsky stated that he disagreed with the
concept that the east alignment wo-Ald be "cleaner" since
the east alignment needs to go between two wetlands and he
could not see h.,o that alignment could avoid impact on one
or both.
Commissioner Zylla commented that the eastst alignment would
providelandlessimpactonOrrinThompson, and controlled by
Mr. Stullberg, and existing, development of Dundee Nursery
VOTE - MG ION CARRIED
Roll Call Vote, on Main Motion. , Ayes. Coinuissioner Wire VOTE - MAIN MOTICN
Nay, MOTION carried. CARRIED
MOTION by Commissioner Plufka, seconded by Commissioner MOTION TO APPROVE
Tierney, to recommend alignment of County Road 9/County
Road 24 from Vicksburg, Lane to State Highway 55 be on the
alignment designated "MFR West" in the Strgar-Roscoe-
Fausch, Inc. report.
Commissioner Marofsky observed that the "MFR West"
alignment is more adverse to wetlands than the alignment
recoirmiended by Strgar-Roscoe-Fausch, Inc.
Roll Call Vote. 4 Ayes. Commissioner Marofsky Nay. VOTE - MOTION CARRIED
MOTION by Commissioner Marofsky, seconded by Comm4sioner MOTION TO APPROVE
Wire, to recommend to the City Council that they ccnsider
no thoroughfare connection between Vicksburg Lane and
Medina Road.
Planning Covnission Minutes
June 19, 1990
Page
Comm ssituc.r Marrs ::fir noted that he considered the cost of
completing the, therjughfare alignment between Medina Road
and Vi