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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning Commission Minutes 06-15-2016Approved MinutesCityofPlymouth Planning Commission Meeting June 15, 2016 MEMBERS PRESENT: Chair James Davis, Commissioners Marc Anderson, Gary Goldetsky, Jim Kovach, Julie Witt, Donovan Saba and David Witte MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Planning Manager Barb Thomson, Senior Planner Shawn Drill, Senior Planner Marie Darling, Community Development Director Steve Juetten OTHERS PRESENT: Council Member Ned Carroll 1. CALL TO ORDER - 7:00 P.M. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. PUBLIC FORUM 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION by Commissioner Kovach, seconded by Commissioner Goldetsky, to approve theJune15, 2016 Planning Commission Agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 5. CONSENT AGENDA A. APPROVAL OF THE JUNE 1, 2016 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGMINUTES MOTION by Commissioner Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Saba, to approve the consent agenda. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 6. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. WAYNE JESKE ASSOCIATES, INC. (2016027) Chair Davis introduced the request by Wayne Jeske Associates, Inc. for a planned unitdevelopmentamendmentforanadditionatTri-State Drilling located at 16940 State Highway 55. Senior Planner Drill gave an overview of the staff report. Chair Davis introduced Wayne Jeske, representing the applicant, who stated that he is present toaddressanyquestions. Approved Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2016 Page 2 Chair Davis opened the public hearing. Chair Davis introduced Jim Melcher, president of Tri-State Drilling, who stated that the company was established in 1955, and this property was purchased in 1960 when a small office was built on the site. He stated that as the business has grown, it has become difficult to run an enterprise of this size that is as open and undivided as a home, noting that they first used a home builder to construct the building in 1960 and additions made after that. He stated that this project would create more defined spaces and would provide some additional space for future growth. He noted that outside storage would be further limited with this expansion. He noted that they are a national business and have storage yards in many other states that will not be brought back to the site. Chair Davis closed the public hearing. Commissioner Anderson stated that the floorplan appears to have space for about 16 offices and asked if there are plans to hire additional employees. Mr. Melcher stated that the business is a bit cramped right now. He estimated that there will be about three or four vacant offices and noted that there may be a need for two additional employees in the near future but there are no plans to hire simply to fill offices, explaining that he planned the expansion to fit with the trend he has seen. MOTION by Commissioner Goldetsky, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recommend approval of the request by Wayne Jeske Associates, Inc. for a planned unit development amendment for an addition at Tri-State Drilling located at 16940 State Highway 55. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. B. INSPEC, INC. (2016042) Chair Davis introduced the request by Inspec, Inc. for an interim use permit for soil removal/ replacement and facility upgrades at Armstrong High School baseball field located at 10635 361h Avenue. Senior Planner Darling gave an overview of the staff report and noted that the commissioners each received a copy of a revised resolution, amending condition 3. b) 1) to state that the applicant must include a water quality best management practice on the property. Chair Davis asked for additional information on engineered soil. Senior Planner Darling replied that engineered soil is a mix of sand and peat designed specifically to drain the site so the ballfield does not have puddles after a rain storm. Chair Davis introduced Brent Boelter, with Inspec, Inc., who stated that the seeding is anticipated to be completed by the end of August or early September and therefore the field would not be used for sporting events until the next fall. He stated that the engineered soil mix is similar to what is Approved Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2016 Page 3 used in rain gardens. He stated that the project is being undertaken as there have been a number of game cancelations due to uneven surfaces and poor drainage on the site. Chair Davis introduced Jim Gerber, with Robbinsdale School District, who stated that the purpose of the project is to help address player safety and the issues with game cancelations. He stated that this situation has been ongoing for a number of years, noting that a number of consultants have tested the soils since he began his position in 1998, and the improvements that were made since that time have not provided a sufficient result. He noted that higher fencing would be installed in some areas to protect those watching games from being hit by a ball. Commissioner Witt asked if the field has been replaced in the past. Mr. Gerber stated that since he began there have been about eight instances where pieces have been addressed but this would be the first major reworking of the field. Commissioner Witt stated that she was concerned with the number of big trucks on Saturdays, noting that they will be removing a ton of dirt from the site. She noted that people would most likely expect vehicles during the work week but was concerned with the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Mr. Gerber stated that those construction hours are available in the city code. He noted that the work hours of the contractors would depend on the weather. He stated that in a past project the majority of the truck work was done during the weekdays, as the contractors do not like to work on the weekends either. He stated that if the weather causes delays, the contractors would then have to work on Saturday in order to meet the timeline for seeding but noted that Saturday hours would be limited to the extent possible. Planning Manager Thomson noted that the applicant is limiting the hours as the city regulations would allow work up to 10:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Chair Davis opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on this item. Commissioner Witt stated that as a tax payer she is not pleased to see school district funds used for a sports field but understood the need for the project. MOTION by Commissioner Witt, seconded by Commissioner Anderson, to recommend approval of the revised resolution for an interim use permit for Inspec, Inc. for soil removal/ replacement and facility upgrades at Armstrong High School baseball field located at 10635 361h Avenue. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. C. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2015080) Chair Davis introduced the request by the City of Plymouth for zoning ordinance text amendments related to medical cannabis. Approved Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2016 Page 4 Planning Manager Thomson gave an overview of the staff report. Commissioner Goldetsky asked if the city would insist on signage for a dispensary that would summarize some of the very serious side effects of marijuana use that sometimes gets minimized, specifically that there is brain shrinkage and decreased cognitive functioning. Planning Manager Thomson stated that she is unsure that is something the city could do but noted that staff could investigate that further. Commissioner Goldetsky stated that he has an issue with the public health elements and was curious if language could be included that would require dispensary staff to go through criminal background investigation to ensure they do not have drug or alcohol offenses. Planning Manager Thomson believed that was included in the state language. Commissioner Witte asked if the state statute defines public or private school, noting that there are also preschools and colleges and was unsure that those schools would be included in the definition. He also asked if there has been an established distance from a public park or playground. Planning Manager Thomson stated that schools and their playgrounds would be included but city parks would not be included in the distance requirement. Commissioner Goldetsky referenced item (h) and asked if there could be additional clarity on the type of disposal system for cannabis remnants or byproducts. Commissioner Witt stated that she understands the concern, which is warranted, but believed that the state has provided clear definitions of how the business will be run and regulated. She stated that it appears the city has done their due diligence in determining locations but did not think that a second lock and key system could be set up outside of the state requirements. Commissioner Goldetsky stated that he would have no problem if prospective dispensaries want to go to another city. Planning Manager Thomson stated that the city will not be in the first round and may never be named as a location for a cannabis-related facility, noting that amendments can be made to the regulations as time goes on. Commissioner Anderson asked why the city does not simply say no. Planning Manager Thomson stated that the City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance that would allow cannabis-related uses in selected areas of the city. Commissioner Saba stated that only two small potential locations were identified, and if the council is directing this action simply to be a part of the act, he would not support this action. Approved Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2016 Page 5 Commissioner Witt stated that she views this as the council being proactive rather than reactive. She stated that while there may not be support for this item, the city is stepping out to get in front of what may come to the city. She noted that it is premature to say "not in my backyard" as there are a lot of things in the city that could fall under that category. She commended the council for being proactive. Councilmember Carroll agreed that this is a proactive measure to get ahead of the curve and determine where a business could go if it does come this way. He stated that there is a limitation of one dispensary per congressional district, noting that the first will not be in Plymouth and others that come in the future may not come to Plymouth either. Chair Davis stated that this is a legal product that has been sanctioned by the state and should not be looked upon as evil. Commissioner Goldetsky stated that he does commend the council for taking on this issue proactively and would like to see the city prepared for this item to the maximum. He stated that he understands the effort and need to be prepared. Councilmember Carroll stated that only licensed pharmacists can distribute medical cannabis. Commissioner Goldetsky stated that while he appreciates that he is also aware of the research that shows there can be an adverse effect on the brain and cognitive functioning that the state may not have been aware of. He stated that he would be in favor of the city having more strict regulations than the state. He noted that medical marijuana is the only pharmaceutical product that requires its own dispensary. Commissioner Witt stated that the people using the product are sick. Commissioner Goldetsky stated that he does not always agree with that, noting his experience with pain clinics for the past 30 years. He stated that while there are some patients that are truly sick, there are others that are simply med seeking. Planning Manager Thomson stated that if something changes and this is more widely allowed then further amendments can occur. She noted that this step would allow the city to be more prepared. Chair Davis opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing as there was no one present to speak on this item. Chair Davis stated that he will be voting against this as medical marijuana is a legal substance in the state, and the city is treating it as an evil. He noted that sexually orientated businesses have more leeway than this legal substance would, noting that a prescription would be required to obtain this product. MOTION by Commissioner Witt, seconded by Commissioner Witte, to recommend approval of the request by the City of Plymouth for zoning ordinance text amendments related to medical cannabis. Amendment to the main motion to add a performance standard directing a facility to Approved Planning Commission Minutes June 15, 2016 Page 6 display signage indicating that research has found that medical cannabis can have an adverse effect on the brain and revising the performance standard on disposal of cannabis remnants or by­products to provide additional detail on the disposal process. Vote on the amendment. 4 Ayes, 3 Nays (Witt, Witte and Davis voting Nay). Vote. 6 Ayes, 1 Nay (Davis voting nay). MOTION approved. 7. NEW BUSINESS A. CITY OF PLYMOUTH (2016038) Chair Davis introduced the request by the City of Plymouth to review the draft goals and policies that are part of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. Planning Manager Thomson reviewed the goals and policies. Chair Davis stated that he would prefer a different term than millennials as that age group will age just as every other age group and therefore that term will become outdated. Planning Manager Thomson noted that a different term could be used, such as young people, but further noted that the plan would be updated again in ten years and the term could be updated at that time. She continued to summarize the goals. Commissioner Witt stated that in regard to the housing goals, it is clear that the city does not have a stock of affordable housing and asked how that could be addressed differently or whether that is considered project by project. Planning Manager Thomson stated that a key issue in the city is the cost of land, noting that it is very difficult to get the cost of a single family home into the affordable housing range. She stated that the city attempts to focus on multifamily housing developments to achieve affordable housing goals, similar to other communities with high land costs. Commissioner Witte asked for the definition of split guiding. Planning Manager Thomson provided an example, noting that the city has not used that in the past but other cities have. She explained that a parcel could have two guide plan classifications and development could go in either direction, depending on the market. Commissioner Anderson noted that specific standards are listed for shallow and deep lakes but a more general statement is made for streams and asked if standards should exist in that section as well. Planning Manager Thomson replied that within the plan there will be more specific standards and tables for streams. She continued to review the goals and noted that the commission will see this information again as individual plan chapters are finished. ApprovedPlanning Commission Minutes June 15, 2016 Page 7 MOTION to recommend that the draft goals and policies be included in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan update. Vote. 7 Ayes. MOTION approved. 8.ADJOURNMENT MOTION by Chair Davis, with no objection, to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 P.M.