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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-11-22 MINUTES PC & PS Joint Mtg. City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission Joint Meeting November 22, 2010 A joint meeting of the Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 7516 – 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on November 22, 2010, in the Council Chambers. Call to Order The joint Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Planning Commission Members Present: Ken Brittain, Steve Messick, Tracy Poncin, Ryan Rambacher, Brian Treber, Chris Willhite, Brian Pearson, Jim Rostad Public Safety Commission Members Present: Brian Hagen, Ben Franczok, Lori Hedican, Angela Chambliss, Todd Chambliss, Jim Neuenfeldt Other Attendees: Councilmember Jen Peterson; City Council Elect Dave Thiede; Greg Rinzel, Deputy Director of Public Safety/Administrative Division; Bob Byerly, Fire Chief; Jody Nelson, Wold Architects; John McNamara, Wold Architects; Chris Reese; Howard Blin, Community Development Director; John McCool, Senior Planner Proposed Public Safety/City Hall Project John McNamara and Jody Nelson from Wold Architects and Engineering presented a slide- show highlighting work that has been completed for the proposed Public Safety/City Hall project. The consultant summarized comments made by various city subcommittees relative to site plan criteria and general layout diagrams, which were developed around the following guiding principles: The facility should encourage efficiency, interaction and collaboration among all depart-  ments. The facility should make a statement of pride, stability, success, and service of Cottage  Grove. Plan for a vibrant civic campus as a focus for the community to gather and have access to  Ravine Park as a public amenity. Strive for a safe, yet open and publicly welcoming facility.  Implement common sense, sustainable approaches.  Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission Joint Meeting Minutes November 22, 2010 Page 2 of 3 Build a Public Safety/City Hall facility which is a transparent, functional, adaptable, dura-  ble, great place to work. McNamara reported that parking is being evaluated and the city will eventually need to decide how much parking will be constructed with the first construction phase. Site photos of various viewsheds from Keats Avenue and the preferred site location were described. Listed below are some of the topics presented by the consultant: The buildings should be grouped together to create a campus rather than located on  separate parcels. The Community Center/YMCA should be located at the most visible corner.  Locate the new PS/CH to make use of the natural topography, such as a tuck-under  garage. Include monuments at Keats Avenue and 85th Street in order to direct visitors to the  building(s). The main entry off Ravine Parkway should function as a focal point and “grand entry.”  Traffic patterns should be simple and direct. Do not incorporate redundant travel paths  through the site. Parking lot design should incorporate separation between visitor and staff parking for  increased security of personal vehicles. Implement creative solutions for stormwater management rather than ponds.  Be sensitive to the County’s plans for the development of Ravine Park.  Landscaping around the building(s) should be sympathetic to already established site  features. Outdoor spaces should take advantage of views and connections to the park.  Consider enhanced site features if the budget allows.  Wold explained that the Public Safety/City Hall building pad will be slightly elevated and will be seen from the 85th Street/Keats Avenue intersection. Blin reported that land north of the 85th Street extension is designated as medium density residential, a land use designation that is typical of townhouse development. Residential development in this area is not expected for 20 years. There were general questions regarding the building’s orientation on the property and the rela- tionship diagram presented in the slideshow. Wold explained that the building’s design is forth- coming. People released from the Police Division will exit to the front area of the building. The fitness center will be available to all city employees. Access to the underground garage area Planning Commission and Public Safety Commission Joint Meeting Minutes November 22, 2010 Page 3 of 3 for public safety vehicles will be on the southern side of the building. The office areas in the existing City Hall building is approximately 17,668 square feet plus a 6,480 square foot garage area for a total of 24,148 square feet. The new Public Safety/City Hall will be 50,000 to 60,000 square feet of total floor area, including the Public Safety garage space. The preferred building location is in the southeast corner of the 25-acre site. Reasons sup- porting this concept are: The site’s natural topography works better for designing and accessing an underground  parking facility. The Public Safety/City Hall facility is closer to the South Washington County Service  Center. The building will still be seen from 85th Street/Keats Avenue.  The future of other public facilities on this site is unknown.  The open space north of the preferred Public Safety/City Hall site can be used a flex-  space for recreation and open space. The existing tree mass and drainageway west and southwest of the Public Safety/City  Hall facility will naturally screen the employee and city fleet parking lot. Future fire apparatus bay at the lower building elevation will not tower above the main  structure. If other community facilities (e.g. community center or library) are developed on the site,  they will be more visible from Keats Avenue. Adjournment The joint meeting adjourned at 7:06 p.m.