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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-09 MINUTESCITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION December 9, 2002 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at the Public Works Garage, 8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on December 9, 2002 at 7:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Boyden called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. ROLL CALL Members Absent: David Anderson, Ken Boyden, Randy Eckstein, Steve Ingram, Dan Massarotti Roger Finnegan, Jan Wuorenma Staff Present: Les Burshten, Public Works Director Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Allan Larson, Public Works Technician Also Present: Jim Wolcott, City Council Liaison 3. APPROVE MINUTES On a motion by Dan Massarotti, and seconded by Randy Eckstein, the November 11, 2002 minutes were approved unanimously. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS - None 5. NEW BUSINESS A. Technical Review 6.1 CASES ZA02-081 and PP02-082 Pulte Homes of Minnesota applied for a zoning amendment to change the zoning from AG-2, Agriculture, to R-2.5, Residential, and a preliminary plat for Timber Ridge 4th Addition, which would consist of 61 single-family homes to be located on the northwest corner of 70� Street and Harkness Avenue. Public Works Commission December 9, 2002 — Page 2 Public Works Technician Allan Larson stated this item is being revisited by the Council after some revisions by the developer. Council Member Wolcott added that the development will consist of single-family homes rather than the patio-type homes initially proposed. 6.2 CASE SP02-085 Wells Fargo Bank, NA has applied for a site plan review of a 7,200 square foot single- story building and a conditional use permit to allow a drive-through bank, to be located at 8770 East Point Douglas Road South. Commission Member Massarotti stated he has concerns regarding the traffic in this particular area of E. Point Douglas with the S-curve and lane configuration. 6.3 CASE RS02-087 Alvin and Marlys Goebel have applied for a simple lot division to divide a 37.5 acre parcel of land into two parcels of 14 acres and 23.5 acres. The property is located on the north side of 70 Street between Jamaica Avenue and Keats Avenue. Public Works Supervisor Harry Taylor explained that this is a simple lot split. 6.4 CASE SP02-088 3M Company has applied for a site plan review of their water main repair project. The project includes replacement of 12,100 lineal feet of concrete water main that runs through the Ravine Park to the Mississippi River, which is in the critical area, and the construction of a 10-foot wide bituminous pathway along the new waterline routing. Taylor explained 3M is planning on replacing 12,100 feet of existing water line extending from Woodbury to Cottage Grove. He added that 3M is working with Washington County for a pathway through the existing county park. Wolcott further ex�lained that the only portion of piping proposed for replacement is in the area from 90 h Street to the 3M facility. 3M is concerned that the type of material in this particular section may have experienced deterioration and in order to avoid future problems, new material will be used. It was discovered during this process that easements are not recorded so this is also an opportune time for proper paperwork to be completed. 6.5 CASE V02-089 3M Company has applied for a variance to Title 9-1-1, Exterior Facing Material, for construction of a 16,864 square foot pre-engineered metal panel building to house 26 process treatment carbon filtration tank units. The new building will be located on the interior of the 3M Cottage Grove Center, 10746 Innovation Road. Taylor noted this building will be part of the manufacturing facility. Public Works Commission December 9, 2002 — Page 3 6.6 CASE CUP02-090 Kerry J. Severson has applied for a conditional use permit to allow a horse boarding facility at 11050 Manning Avenue. No further discussion. 6.7 CASES ZA02-072 and PP02-073 (continued from 9/23/02 meeting) Cheetah Properties, LLC, have applied for a zoning amendment to change the zoning from AG-1, Agricultural Preserve, to R-2.5, Residential, and PUD, Planned Unit Development and a preliminary plat for a subdivision to be called Mississippi Dunes Estates, which would consist of 178 single-family homes and 139 town homes. This proposed subdivision would be located on the west side of Hadley Avenue between 95 Street and 100 Street. It was noted the senior housing portion of the original development proposal has been eliminated. Taylor stated that upon development of this area, Hadley Avenue would resemble Jamaica Avenue with an island in the middle. There was a brief discussion regarding the difficulty of maintaining the islands, especially once the vegetation becomes overgrown. It is the recommendation and preference of this commission that islands be discouraged due to difficulties with maintenance. In addition, islands hinder Public Works crews and traffic flow. Wolcott expressed concerns with the appearance of Hadley once development occurs and inquired whether berming or tree planting has been proposed for pleasing aesthetics. Ingram responded that if berming or plantings are placed on private property, the homeowner has the prerogative to either cut trees or remove the berming Boyden suggested that if berming is considered, the easement should be wide enough so homeowners cannot alter or remove plantings from the area. It is also believed berming would alleviate the look of the many types of mismatched fences that are along Jamaica Avenue. Case continues. B. Traffic Signals for Jamaica Avenue. Burshten stated requests have recently been made for traffic signals to be installed at the intersection of 80� Street and Jamaica Avenue. A traffic study by Public Works has been completed for Jamaica Avenue, including the intersection at 80� Street, and both Highway 61 ramps. The report has been forwarded to engineering. Two of the areas studied may be eligible for MSA funding. This issue will be brought before the Council in the future for their recommendation. Authorization will be sought to proceed to work with MnDOT to find what their participation in this project may involve. Ingram inquired at this point why the two left turn lanes on the southbound ramp from Highway 61 to Jamaica were eliminated since this seemed to be alleviating the traffic problem. Wolcott responded that the State of Minnesota has jurisdiction over that ramp and they made the decision to eliminate the one left turn lane. Ingram responded that when that was the case, the traffic seemed to flow pretty good. Burshten stated he felt a traffic signal would definitely help the traffic backup on the ramp. Case continues. Public Works Commission December 9, 2002 — Page 4 6. OLD BUSINESS A. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) — Update Allan Larson explained that staff has completed approximately 85 per cent of the analysis for self-assessment. In addition, staff will work with engineering to look into current construction standards. At that point, new best management practices will be set and upon completion of that phase, staff will move on to public education to make citizens aware of the storm water issues. 7. PUBLIC WORKS UPDATE Rink Floodinq Staff has done an excellent job flooding local outdoor rinks. The weather has been cooperative up to this point. Pine Tree Valley rink is not officially open, however, Burshten noted some over-enthusiastic skaters cut the locks off the rink gate and turned on the floodlights in order to start the skating season early. Meter Readinq Meter reading was completed last week. Wellhead Protection Burshten stated the Wellhead Protection Plan is ready to proceed. Council approval will be requested at a January meeting authorizing staff to request plans and specifications for Well Number 11. This project has been in the Capital Improvement Plan for quite a few years and Well Number 12 appears in the CIP for 2004. Staff will request that both wells be constructed concurrently. Burshten went on to state it takes approximately nine months to drill a well and approximately ten months to construct a well house. The CIP indicates $700,000.00 is available for each well, however, if both are bid at the same time, the cost may be reduced to approximately $1.2 million for both. Gas Line Installation -Pavement Manaqement Area The City has been working with Xcel Energy regarding the installation of gas line for Phase 2 of the Pavement Management Project. There has been some controversy regarding what their policy is at this point so currently a vice president of Xcel is reviewing the area and is expected to contact City staff in the near future. Boulevard Restoration — Pavement Manaqement Area Burshten reported that not all boulevards were restored last fall due to weather conditions. A letter will be mailed to residents explaining that their boulevards will be seeded as soon as possible next spring. 8. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE Jim Wolcott stated an in-house engineer was hired for the City and will begin work in January. Public Works Commission December 9, 2002 — Page 5 9. ENGINEER'S REPORT Burshten stated the Hinton-Tower Connection is being discussed with consultants from Washington County. In addition, the storm sewer area beneath Highway 61 will be reviewed in anticipation of work to take place in the Hardwood Corridor. 10. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS Citv Proiect Document Binder Massarotti inquired whether binders could be purchased to compile a current file of City projects for use at commission meetings. He stated in this way, documents will be available if needed for discussions rather than everyone receiving copies in packets. He stated the availability of current documents and plans will provide a bit more continuity to functions the commission is addressing. Hvdrant Raisinq in Pavement Manaqement Area Ingram inquired why city crews worked on the hydrant raising project rather than a hydrant specialist contractor. Burshten responded that the utility division had the capability of doing the work in-house and the contractor was delaying the project too long. Burshten commented that City crews did a nice job on the project. 11. ADJOURNMENT Randy Eckstein made a motion to adjourn, seconded by David Anderson. Motion was carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 pm. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Storby