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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-10 MINUTESREQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA MEETING ITEM # �,/ � � � . DATE 03/02/05 � PREPARED BY: Public Works Les Burshten ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR ...,.....«.....�.....�.......��...�<........<... COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST: Accept and place on file the minutes of the January 10, 2005 meeting of the Public Works Commission. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the January 10, 2005 minutes of the Public Works Commission. BUDGET IMPLICATION: $ $ BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION: DATE ❑ PLANNING ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY � PUBLIC WORKS ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: 2/14/05 REVIEWED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ MEMO/LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Approved minutes of Public Works Commission APPROVED ❑ ❑ � ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ DENIED ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ meeting on January 10, 2005 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: a,��� City Administrator Date �..........�.�....�.,.....�.......,,....�.�....�. COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: [�APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION January 10, 2005 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a meeting of the Public Works Commission of Cottage Grove was duly held at the Public Works Facility, 8635 West Point Douglas Road, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on January 10, 2005 at 7:00 pm. 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Ken Boyden called the meeting to order at 6:56 pm. 2. ROLL CALL David Anderson, Ken Boyden , Robert Dornsbach, Randy Eckstein, Gary Kjellberg, David Thiede Staff Present: Les Burshten, Director of Public Works Harry Taylor, Public Works Supervisor Also Present: Howard Blin, Community Development Director Excused: Roger Finnegan 3. APPROVE MINUTES - December 13, 2004 Upon a motion by Randy Eckstein, seconded by David Thiede, the Oecember 13, 2004 minutes were approved unanimously. 4. ADDITIONAL AGENDA ITEMS None. Public Works Commission January 10, 2005 — Page 2 5. NEW BUSINESS 6.1 Kathv O'Brien Case CUPO4-058 (continued from 11/22/04 meetinq) Kathy O'Brien has applied for a conditional use permit to allow a fitness center at 8700 East Point Douglas Road South. 6.2 ATS&R. Cases CUP05-001 and SP05-002 ATS&R, Inc. has applied for a conditional use permit and site plan review to allow an addition to Cottage Grove Junior High School, 9775 Indian Boulevard South. Harry explained this involves a building project to include classroom expansion - no problems are anticipated. The Fire Department is checking into the sprinkler system requirements and it was noted the project is not expected to affect existing utilities. 6.3 David DuBois. Cases SP05-003 and V05-004 DuBois Remodeling, 11865 Point Douglas Road South, has applied for a site plan review of a proposed addition and a variance to Title 11-10C-6C(1), Lot Requirements in the B-3, General Business District, to reduce the required 75-foot rear yard setback for commercial property adjacent to residential property to 48 feet. This area is in Pine Coulee, near the park and Gerlach's. It was also noted tree buffering will be used for screening purposes. 6.4 Kris and Elizabeth Mvhre Case RS05-005 Kris and Elizabeth Myhre have applied to subdivide a 9.34 acre parcel of land at 9016 Kimbro Avenue South into two parcels of 6.34 acres and 3 acres. This is a simple lot division. There is a large drainage area that comes through the property near the back portion which is being looked at to determine some of the high water levels. 6.5 David and Liane Pierce. Case PP05-006 David and Liane Pierce have applied for a preliminary plat for Oak Wood Glen, which would consist of a cluster development of six lots for single family homes and one outlot to be located on the east side of Lamar Avenue, north of 70� Street. A private road is being considered for this development. Commission Member Gary Kjellberg inquired whether this road would meet city specifications with enough room for city vehicles to maneuver in and out of the area. Community Development Director Howard Blin explained that the City's approach is to limit private roads, however, it was explained that this was a unique situation. 6.6 Positive Companies Cases ZA05-008 Sq05-009, and CUP05-010 Positive Companies has applied for a zoning amendment to modify the PUD (Planned Unit Development) for Pine Grove of Cottage Grove, a site plan review of retail building, and a conditional use permit to allow a drive through on the property located at 8800 East Point Douglas Road South. Public Works Commission January 10, 2005 — Page 3 It was noted this is the same company that constructed the building containing the new Bulletin License Center on West Point Douglas Road. Harry Taylor explained that as-builts from the Wells Fargo Building are being reviewed to make certain inlets and outlets are appropriately placed for this site. 7.1 Aaqreqate Industries, Case MP05-007 Aggregate Industries has applied for their 2005 mining permit to continue mining operations on Lower Grey Cloud Island. B. Signage — West Point Douglas Road (Bulletin License Center) Les Burshten explained that a request was made by Gary Spooner of the Bulletin License Center to have signs installed to direct customers to the new license center location. Areas included would be on the ramps at Highway 61/80' Street and the ramps on Jamaica/Highway 61. Mr. Spooner was advised to contact the State of Minnesota for this request. He also requested some signs be placed on city property which may have impact on the City's sign policy and will likely be reviewed by Planning. Howard Blin explained this request requires a variance from the Sign Ordinance which does not allow off-site signage on the right-of-way. The request will likely be denied. If the City starts making allowances for one business, how do you stop others? It was also stated the license center now has visibility from Highway 61. 6. OLD BUSINESS None (Skipped to Item 8) 8. EAST RAVINE UPDATE Re-Routinq of Militarv Road Community Development Director Howard Blin began by giving a brief overview of land use issues in the East Ravine. An option under consideration is the re-routing of Military Road which intersects with Keats by Cedarhurst. It was noted there is another intersection with 70 Street just south of that area. Blin's understanding is that for decades, the City and County have discussed reorganizing those intersections to make them work better. As development occurs, traffic volumes will increase on Keats and having these two intersections so close together won't work. An option is to vacate a portion of Military Road and the county road designation would be re-routed down Jamaica Avenue, then across 70 Street, which would be extended. This configuration may be a little more travel distance adding travel time, however, not enough to be significant. Public Works Commission January 10, 2005 — Page 4 Another concern is the historical nature of Military Road originally built in 1843. The original alignment still remains and it has been suggested that a pathway or trail may be placed to signify this area. Citv-Countv Campus The City has discussed building a new community center and city hall. Washington County has been planning to build a new south service center and intends to move from the Armory site since a larger site is needed for court facilities in the next five or ten years. The City decided to join forces and locate on an adjoining site. This area is currently being farmed on the east side of Keats, while the County is in the process of selecting architects for the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2006. The Police Department would also relocate to this area with the facility likely containing two wings — City Hall Administration and Public Safety. Commission Chair Ken Boyden stated a concern with the police department located on the perimeter, perhaps too great of a distance from the other side of the city. Three Distinct Areas of the East Ravine 1. Cottage View Area Highway 61) 2. Cedarhurst Area 3. Neighborhood One —(retail development "Big-Box" retailers, visible from Developers agree the East Ravine is a great site, but not now — maybe 10 years out - until homes are built. Dave Anderson inquired whether any portions of the Cottage View Drive-In will be salvaged for historical reference that may even be incorporated into the development. Blin responded that this is a possibility. Blin went on to explain that the main parkway would have open space on one side with development on the other — akin to the River Road in Minneapolis/St. Paul. In other areas, development would be on both sides. From a design perspective, it is desired to "front" the houses rather than on Jamaica Avenue where you see the back of everyone's home. On the major county roadways, a wider right of way or a green strip is proposed, 50-75 feet wide with low berms and landscaping (similar to Wedgewood in Woodbury), a natural buffer between the roadway and the homesites. Access (bubble) streets may be used on the parkway where at various points, you have a street that turns off and provides access to each individual lot. It was also thought some stormwater ponding may be placed in green spaces. The area would also provide move-up housing, one of the premier residential areas of the City. It was noted Cottage Grove has a fairly large share of housing in the moderately priced category. Boyden stated his concern with the parkway being wide enough, especially allowing for proper and safe snow removal. Blin responded that the snow can be stored behind the curb which will work out well for the area since there will not be houses and driveways immediately off the roadway. The main arterials will remain to be 70� Street with Jamaica and Keats Avenue being four-lane roadways. Public Works Commission January 10, 2005 — Page 5 At this point Ken Boyden inquired about the engineering firm. Blin responded that the prime consultant for the project is Hoisington Koegler, a planning firm and Howard R. Green is an engineering subcontractor. Blin commented that street width will be kept foremost in mind and added that Jennifer Levitt raised this question when meeting with the consultants. Additionally, realistic traffic projections must be kept in mind and how many cars a two lane road can carry. It is hoped that long- term improvements can be made to Military Road. All in all, as the area develops, the cost for all roadway improvements may be divided amongst all the new developments with each sharing the costs. Boyden suggested these costs be factored to the developer right up front as part of the approval of their development. Commission Member David Thiede commented that since the City has done a sizeable amount of planning for these developers, will we recover some of those costs? Blin responded that it is hoped a significant amount may be recovered, but likely not 100 per cent. Currently the City is attempting to stage development in the area so the door isn't opened to a land rush where the City can't absorb the rate of development which, in turn, strains Public Works, Police and Fire. The East Ravine is envisioned as a 20-year build-out and ideally, it is hoped things will balance out so the tax base grows at the same rate as the demands for service. The next step is for Council to adopt certain land use amendments for the comprehensive plan. During that time, the Task Force Advisory team will offer input and suggestions, along with putting zoning controls in place, lot sizes, house sizes, etc. By midsummer it is hoped to have all those items amended into zoning and subdivision codes. Later this year, development applications may be accepted. Boyden asked if this and other City Commissions will be initially involved in the planning process. Blin responded he will be attending at least every other meeting for the next few months in order to keep the groups informed. Randy Eckstein stated that an upgrade of County Road 19 is not on the County's agenda. Blin responded that City staff will be meeting with County staff later this month to hopefully get this area on the County's capital improvement schedule. Eckstein also wished to make sure the concerns of commissions (how the area is ultimately developed) are addressed and wished to know what a decision ultimately ends up being. Blin stated he would continue to keep the group informed regarding the East Ravine. The commission expressed their appreciation for the presentation this evening. Public Works Commission January 10, 2005 — Page 6 9. CITY COUNCIL UPDATE. Burshten indicated the two new council members, Myron Bailey and Karla Bigham, were sworn in along with Mayor Sandy Shiely. Also sworn in was Police Officer/Paramedic Claire O'Boyle. There was a discussion regarding placement of a traffic signal at 80` and Jamaica which was denied at this time. The area will continue to be watched and re-evaluated in the future. Nominees for the Infrastructure Maintenance Task Force were presented to the Council. Gary Kjellberg of this commission will be serving on the committee. 10. ENGINEERS REPORT The report will be presented next month. Burshten reported the City is still waiting to hear information on the DNR approval for the FEMA project on the causeway on Grey Cloud Island. 11. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made by Robert Dornsbach, seconded by Gary Kjellberg. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. RespectFully submitted, f''atri.ci,ci Sto-rlry