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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 02-22-1995CITY OF PLYMOUTH PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES FEBRUARY 22, 1995 The regular meeting of the Plymouth Planning Commission was called to order at 7:00p.m. by Chairman Mike Stulberg. MEMBERS PRECUNT Chairman Mike Stulberg, Commissioners Barb Stimson, Saundra Spigner, Linda Oja. Christian preus and Allen` Ribbe. MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Virginia Black STAFF PRESENT: Director Anne Hurlburt, City Engineer DanFaulkner, Planning Supervisor Barbara Senness, Senior Planner John Keho, Associate Planner Shawn Drill, and PlanningSecretaryJackieWatson MINUTEST MOTION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Oja to approve thePlanningCommissionMinutesofJanuary25, 1995 and February 8, 1995., Vote. 5 Ayes, Commissioner Spigner abstained. APPOINTMENT OF CAAMPFRSON AND VICE CAAUUERSON Commissioner Ribbe recommended Commissie ner Stulberg as Chairperson for 1995, the recommendation was seconded by Commissioner Stimson, Vote. 6 Ayes, Commissioner Preus recommended Commissioner Stimson as Vice Chairperson for1995, the recommendation was seconded by Commissioner 5pigner. Vote 6 Ayes; COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVES Commissioner Spigner voluntzered to be the representative of the Planning CommissionontheBoardofZoningAdjustmentsandAppeals. Planning Commission Minutes Febnmry22, 1995 Page 27 Commissioner Ribbe volunteered to be the representative of the Planning CommissionontheParkandRecreationAdvisoryCommittee. LUNDGREN BROS. CONSTRUCTION (94162) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request by Lundgren Bros. Construction for Rezoning, RPil7 Concept Plan; RPUD Preliminary Plan/Plat and Conditional Use Permit for Soo Lin,- West located at the northwest quadrant of Peony Lane and CountyRoad9 (Rockford Road). Senior Planner Keho reviewed the February 10, 1995 staff report. 6 h Commissioner Ribbe asked if the recommendation by staffwas for the 28 foot streets with parking on both sides. Senior Planner Keho stated there was no: recommendation by staff to alter current parking requirements. Chairman Stulberg asked if the Public Safety Department had any recommendation regarding the street width at the Development Review Committee meeting. Senior Planner Keho stated that the Public Safety Department had no recommendation regarding the street width but has concerns regarding the island for the cul-de-sacs. Chairman Stulberg asked City Engineer Faulkner why the Engineering Department wasrecommending33footwidestreets. City Engineer Faulkner stated that 28 foot streets with a sidewalk would be safe, butjustthe28footstreetalonewouldnotbeassafe. He said that the narrower streetswouldnotbeasnowplowingproblem. Ii Commissioner Preus asked why the applicant was requesting 28 foot wide streets. j Senior Planner Keho stated that the applicant wanted to reduce the impervious surfaceinthedevelopmentandmakethefeelingofthedevelopmentmorethanthatofjustbeingadevelopment. City Engineer Faulkner stated that narrower streets cause drivers to drive slower. Commissioner Oja asked if two cars could pars easily on a 28 foot wide street if cars were parked on both sides. a Planning CommissionMinutes Febmary 22,1995 Page 2E City Engineer'Faulkner and Director Hurlburt responded that this would also be difficult on a 33 foot street. ChairmanStulbergintroduced Mr. Terry For'.ord from Lundgren Bros. Construction, representing the petitioner. Mr. Fortwrd stated there are a lot of new design standards on the market today. He said this mad design was suggested to rcause people to drive slower throughout the development. He said this development is designed to be an alternative to some of their other developments in the area. Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. John Uban or DSU Corporation. Mr. Uban discussed the two major wetlands and the Soo Line Railroad on the site. He described the topography of the site and how they will try to buffer the site. He said they will have restricted access to Peony Lane and Rockford Road and pointed out where their access will be. He said the bridge will have to be high enough to match the topography of this site on the north side. They are hoping that the bridge can be adjusted so it would be a little more friendly to this site. Mr. Uban discussed how the design of the site as proposed was done to preserve the wetland areas. He said most of the homes will front on the wetland areas and the narrower 28 foot streets will create a quieter more friendly neighborhood, and cause drivers to drive slower; He said the narrower street should not create any traffic problems. He said the islands cause drivers on the cul-de-sacs to drive slower because they have to turn around the island. lie also said that a left tum off 45th Avenue and Queensland Lane would be nice. Mr. Uba" discussed the landscaping and berming of the site and stated they will work with City staff concerning these items. Chairman Stulberg introduced Mr. Ken Adolf from Schoell and Madson, Inc. Mr. Adolf discussed item 24 on the Engineers Memo relating to the Block 3 elevation. He stated that the storm water pond's elevations and these lot elevations could be lower, He said that the engineer's memo should state that the minimum elevations should be two feet above the 100 year high water elevations. City Engineer Faulkner stated that he agreed, Mr. Forbord discussed item 25 A on the Engineers Memo; stating that they were previously allowed to submit the final plat but not allowed to file it prior to a contract being awarded tor. the trunk sanitary sewer. M Planning Commission Nitrates Febmary 22, 1995 Iage 29 Director Hurburt stated she would look into this and did not see a problem. Chairman Stulberg asked if there was any parking at the park/tennis courts. Mr. Forbord stated there was not. Commissioner Preus asked for an explanation of the right turn in item 27 of the resolution. Senior Planner Keho explained. Commissioner Preus asked if Lundgren Bros. hoped to use 28 -foot streets in future developments. Mr. Forbord stated that they hoped that all cities might develop a 28 foot street width in their standards under the right situations. He said he did not believe it would be a safety hazard. Chairman Stulberg asked if attached dwellings are more susceptible to the narrow streets and will they ask for this width in the Soo Line Fast development. Mr. Forbord stated that roads in suburban American are over sized. Chairman Stulberg asked for some explanation on the bridge design. i City Engineer Faulkner stated that the design of the bridge isnot final and it will be discussed with the applicant. Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the Public Hearing as there was no one present to speak on the request. i Commissioner Stimson was concerned that closing the two median islands would seem to be cutting off the neighborhood. Senior Planner Keho and City Engineer Faulkner both stated that the median island is too close to the intersection. City Engineer Faulkner stated he would rather have the intersection moved westerly but this would place the street in the wetland. G.hairman Stulberg asked what road residents would use in the lower section, City Engineer Faulkner stated that the most safe egress would be from County Road 9. a 0 a Planning CominissionMnutes February 22,:1995 Page 30 Chairman Stulberg asked if,a left turn from the site would be better or safer off Rockford Road or Peony Lane. Director Hurlburt stated that their would be less traffic off Rockford Road. f Commissioner Stimson stated that she could see aroblem if ap person from the south awerecarpoolingwithsomeonefromthenorthernportionofthesite. 7 W. Forbord stated that there may be some merit to having the median. City Engineer Faulkner stated that maybe if the entry lane was widened it could solve the problem. Mr. Forbord stated they would work with staff on this item. Commissioner Oja stated that she had problems in Eden Prairie backing out of a driveway with 28 footstreets. She said she feels young couples with children need the wider streets. Commissioner Ribbe stated that there are 12 consecutive homes with 70 feet of frontage and if one out of three have any kind of gathering, it would create parking on both sides for 800 to 900 feet where two cars could not meet. He said he feels a 33 foot street is necessary. Chairman Stulberg asked Mr. Forbord if they looked at staffs recommendation for 33 foot streets. Mr. Uban stated that it would be best it`parking is not limited to one side parking. He said that each unit would have a three car garage and additionally there is room for three cars in the driveway. Mr. Foriwrd stated that the narrower street i s realistic for today's society. There are communities that have had 28 foot streets for decades and would agree to parking on only one side. People do not want lots Willi sidewalks. Chairman Stulberg asked if staff had any comments from citizens about the narrower streets. Senior Planner Keho responded that one resident called to express her concern with narrow streets. Commissioner Oja stated that in the Medicine Lake area the streets are narrower and it is difficult to pass if a car if it parked on the street. She said she did not feet sidewalks Were necessary. Planning Commission Minutes February 22, 1995. Page 31 Commissioner Spigner stated she lived in the Medicine Iake area and the 28th Street area is difficult to drive. City Engineer Faulkner, stated that these streets are 24-28 foot in width. Commissioner Preus asked if the problem was the width of the street or something else. City Engineer Faulkner stated he has had no complaints and when streets were redone at less than a 33 -foot design. The citizens did not want wider. Commissioner Preus stated he favors the 28- foot street. He said it will cause people to drive slower. He said he has trouble seeing how the width of street could be a problem, that there would be something else that is causing the problem. He said he walks or runs through his neighborhood and sees very few cars parked on the street. Chairman Stulberg stated he favored the 28 foot street width, with no parking on one side of the street.. He said neither the Public Service Department not the City Engineer sees this as a problem. Commissioner Stimson stated that she favors the 28 -foot street. She said she walks frequently in her neighborhood and does not see very many cars on the street. She said that this may be a good place to try the narrower streets.. Chairman Stulberg stated that the density proposed for this;tcite is less than what is possible. Commissioner Stimson stated this site is sort of a locked -in development. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Stimson to rwommend approval of the PUD Concept Plan for Lundgren Bros. Construction located at the northwest quadrant of County Road 9 and Peony Lane, Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes, Commissioner Ribbe voted Nay. Motion carried on a 5 to 1 vote. MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Preus to recommend approval of the RPUD Preliminary Plan/Plat including the agreed change in 25 F on Engineers Memo to allow 28 foot streets. Roll Call Vote. 5 Ayes, Commissioner Ribbe voted Nay. Motion carried on a 5 to 1 vote. a Planning. Commission Minutes Febmmy 22,1995 Page 32 MOTION by Chairman Stulberg, seconded by Commissioner Pieus to recommend approval of the Rezoning from FRD (Future Restricted Development) to R-2 (Low Density Multiple District). Roll Call Vote. 6 Ayes. Motion carried on a unanimous vote. Chairman Stulberg called a recess at 8:35 p.m.; the meeting reconvened at8:45p.m. ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT RELATING TO DRIVE THROUGH FACHXr. ES AND LOADING DOCKS (95007) Chairman Stulberg introduced the request fora Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment relating to drive through facilities and loading docks. Planning Supervisor Senness reviewed the February 16, 1995 staff report. Commissioner Ribbe asked what caused the situation to put these two subjects together as they seem to be entirely different. Director Hurlburt stated both issues came up at the same time and the Council determined that they have things in common. Planning.Supervisor Senness stated that they are both in the same section of the Zoning Ordinance. Commissioner Preus asked if these changes would apply to existing businesses. Planning Supervisor Senness answered no, existing businesses would not be required to i meet the new rules. i Chairman Stulberg asked if new loading auras for existing buildings constructed after the Ordinance is adopted would be affected, Pla ming Supervisor Senness stated that any new loading area would have to comply as well as new drive through facilities. Chairman Stulberg asked how staff determines the loading number of berths. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that the standards came from another City's Zoning Ordinance, Director Iiudburt stated that in reviewing a site plan they discovered that these issues were not addressed and a business was having problems. a Planning Commission Minutes Febnmry.22,1995. Page 33 Chairman Stulberg opened and closed the Public Hearing as there was no one present to speak on the subject. MOTION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Spigner to recommend approval of the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment relating to drive through facilities and loading docks. RoU Call Vote. 5 Ayes, Commissioner Ribbe voted Nay. Motion carried on a 5 to 1 vote. POLICY CONCERNING THE USE OF FENCING FOR WATER QUALITY PONDS (95011) Chairman Stulberg introduced the discussion item regarding Policy Concerning the Use of Fencing for Water Quality Ponds. Associate Planner Drill reviewed the February 16, 1995 staff report. Commissioner Preus asked if the policy intent was to recommend fences where there are steep slopes. Associate Planner Drill answered yes, in certain cases where there are specific concerns regarding safety. Planning Supervisor Senness stated that in discussions with the City Attorney they found that they cannot prevent a patty from installing a fence if they insist. She said we should encourage the use of a side slope of 10:1 to lessen the need for a fence. MOTION by Commissioner Stimson, seconded by Commissioner Preus to recommend approval of the Policy Concerning the Use of Fencing for Water Quality Ponds. Vote. 6 Ayes. Motion carried on a unanimous vote. The Commissioners discussed the policy of contact with consultants and the code of ethics form. Director Hurlburt discussed the chart in the packet on planning and zoning items for Commission information. City Engineer Faulkner stated that they are working on an erosion control ordinance that they hope to have to the Council in March. The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m, a