HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-23 MINUTESREQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE 12/6/06 +
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Community Development
ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT
Howard Blin
STAFF AUTHOR
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Planning Commission's meeting on
October 23, 2006.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Receive and place on file the approved Planning Commission minutes for the meeting on
October 23, 2006.
BUDGET IMPLICATION $N /A $N /A N/A
BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE
ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
❑ MEMO /LETTER:
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER: Planning Commission minutes from meeting on October 23, 2006
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
4 / L - 1 -c) C .
City Administrator Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: [APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER
DATE REVIEWED APPROVED
DENIED
®
PLANNING 11/27/06 ❑ ®
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PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑
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PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑
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PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑
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HUMAN SERVICES /RIGHTS ❑ ❑
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ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑
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❑ ❑
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SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
❑ MEMO /LETTER:
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER: Planning Commission minutes from meeting on October 23, 2006
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
4 / L - 1 -c) C .
City Administrator Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: [APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER
City of Cottage Grove
Planning Commission
October 23, 2006
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, a regular meeting of the Planning Commission was duly
held at City Hall, 7516 — 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota on the 23rd day of Octo-
ber, 2006, in the Council Chambers and telecast on local Government Cable Channel 16.
Call to Order
Chairperson Brittain called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Roll Call
Members Present: Ken Brittain, Jason Cavallo, Tina Folch - Freiermuth, Rod Hale,
Rebecca Kronlund, Tracy Poncin, Chris Reese, David Thiede
Members Absent: Shane Bauer
Staff Present: Howard Blin, Community Development Director
John McCool, Senior Planner
Mark Grossklaus, City Council
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Hale, second by Thiede, to approve the agenda. Motion approved unani-
mously (8 -0 vote).
Open Forum
Chairperson Brittain asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission on any non -
agenda item.
Julie Bloomquist, 6630 Keats Avenue South, stated that the October 18, 2006, Bulletin re-
ported that the Cedarhurst Point proposal would be on this evening's agenda. She asked why
this was in the newspaper when it is not on the agenda. Blin explained that when applicants
submit an application for Planning Commission review, a public hearing notice is published
prior to the next Planning Commission meeting. Cedarhurst Point was published a couple
months ago, but has been continued. Blin stated that staff did not ask that this item be pub-
lished and he does not know why it was in the paper last week. Bloomquist stated that the last
time she was here it was said that they would talk about it this meeting also. Blin explained
that the applicant has continued that project, and they asked staff not to put it on the Planning
Commission agenda.
Chair's Explanation of the Public Hearing Process
Chairperson Brittain explained the purpose of the Planning Commission, which serves in an
advisory capacity to the City Council, and the City Council makes all final decisions. In addi-
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 2 of 9
tion, he explained the process of conducting a public hearing and requested that any person
wishing to speak should come to the microphone and state their full name and address for the
public record.
Public Hearings and Application Reviews
6.1 Stu -Mac Properties — Case RS06 -058
Stu -Mac Properties has applied for a simple lot division to subdivide a 6.07 -acre parcel of
land located at 11726 Point Douglas Road into parcels of 4.45 acres and 1.62 acres and a
conditional use permit to allow open sales and storage of boats and recreational equip-
ment. The 1.62 -acre parcel would be combined with the 61 Marine parcel at 11730 Point
Douglas Road.
McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions
stipulated in the staff report.
Hale noted that there are two addresses on the 4.45 -acre parcel and asked if there were two
houses located there. McCool responded that was a mapping error; he explained that 11730
is 61 Marine and 11726 is the residential property.
Thiede noted that it appeared the property is already being used and asked if the applicant
intended to continue using it for the same purpose. Al Stewart, 6750 Jamaica Avenue, re-
sponded that they are using it for a boat prep area. Thiede asked if Stewart was renting the
land from the property owner. Stewart responded that they had already purchased the land.
Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing.
Hale made a motion to approve the application subject to the conditions listed below.
Thiede seconded.
1. The applicant files with Washington County the appropriate document(s) to combine
the 1.62 -acre severed parcel at 11726 Point Douglas Road (Seeger) with the 61
Marine (Stu -Mac Properties) parcel (Geocode 36- 027 -21 -42 -0017) commonly known
as 11730 Point Douglas Road.
2. The stormwater area charge fee for 1.62 acres, amounting $12,341.16, must be paid
to the City before the City's stamp of approval is affixed to the deed transferring
ownership of this land to Stu -Mac Properties. The stormwater area charge for the
remaining 6.09 acres of land must be paid upon further development of that
property.
3. A park fee in lieu of land dedication (4 percent of the fair market value) must be paid
to the City before the City's stamp of approval is affixed to the deed transferring
ownership of this land to Stu -Mac Properties. Park fees for Seeger's 6.09 acre parcel
will be collected in the future if said property further develops.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 3 of 9
4. A 10 -foot wide drainage and utility easement is dedicated to the city along the prop-
erty boundary line abutting T.H. 10161 and along the north boundary line of Lot 1,
Block 1 of Seeger Addition.
5. A five -foot wide drainage and utility easement is dedicated to the city along the east
property boundary line of the 6.07 acre parcel.
6. Direct access to T.H. 10161 is prohibited unless granted by Minnesota Department of
Transportation.
7. All conditions of previously approved CUP's remain in effect.
8. Screening of the exterior storage areas must be provided in the future should sur-
rounding properties be subdivided and developed. This design of this screening
must be approved by the City staff.
Motion passed unanimously (8 -to -0 vote).
6.2 Bushilla Lot Split — Cases RS06 -069 and V06 -070
Paula and Michael Bushilla have applied for a simple lot division to subdivide a parcel of
land at 10276 East Point Douglas Road into two parcels and variances to City Code Title
11 -9A -5, Development Standards in the R -1, Rural Residential, zoning district, to reduce
the required lot frontage, and to Title 11 -3 -7, Farming Operations in Residential Districts.
Blin summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions listed in
the staff report.
Paula Bushilla, 10276 East Point Douglas Road, stated that she would answer any questions
from the Commission.
Thiede asked how many acres are in Outlot C. Blin responded that it is about an acre. Brittain
asked how big the exception was. Blin stated about an acre and a half. Thiede asked what
Outlot C would be used for and suggested combining Outlot C and Parcel B to get the three
acres.
Brittain asked if the intent was to combine those lots. Bushilla responded yes. Blin asked
Thiede if he wanted to reduce the size of the newly created parcel by .07 acre. Bushilla re-
sponded that her initial request was to combine those parcels and then split them from the
larger parcel but the new lot would be less than the required three acres if her property was
left at five acres. She explained that they want to keep the animals because of the historic
nature of the property. She stated that they have horses and chickens. She stated that selling
the three -acre parcel would help them maintain the historic property.
Hale asked about driveway widths and easements. McCool stated that the city does get
easements on rural properties, noting that a drainage easement crosses the land to the north-
east. He explained that the maximum width of private driveways is 28 feet, but they are typi-
cally around 12 feet wide. Hale noted that when Outlot C was created, it was tied back to the
Eagle Ridge development. McCool responded that the property owner of the exception parcel
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 4 of 9
at that time was going to purchase that outlot to make their parcel larger but the sale never
took place.
Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing.
Thiede expressed concern about setting precedence by allowing property less than five acres
to have farm animals. He asked why the variance to allow the animals on less than five acres
was a better option than a variance to allow the smaller parcel to be .07 acre less than the
three -acre minimum requirement. Blin responded that the Commission could make that rec-
ommendation. Bushilla stated that she initially had the land surveyed for that 2.93 -acre split
and she would be willing to postpone this process if the Commission wanted to explore that
option. Blin stated that the Commission could recommend that option and the application
would not need to be postponed.
Reese asked if the property was sold, would the variance carry over and allow the new
owners to keep animals on the property. Blin stated that the variance would carry over with
the property as long as it was actively used for that purpose; if a period of a year goes by and
the property is not used for that purpose, then it would lapse.
Hale asked if there was any advantage to the Bushillas in terms of topography or buildings if
the variance to create a 2.93 -acre parcel was recommended. Bushilla stated that the property
line would be a little further away from the animal buildings. Hale asked how close that prop-
erty line would be to the outbuildings. McCool stated that it would meet the setback criteria.
Bushilla expressed concern that if for some they don't have the animals for a year and the
variance lapses, there would be no future possibility to have animals. She would like to keep
the farm at five acres.
Thiede asked why staff recommended going with the variance to allow farm animals on a lot
less than five acres. Blin responded that we are creating a new parcel and the thought was
that it was better create a conforming parcel than a nonconforming parcel.
Folch asked if the rest of the properties in Eagle Ridge are a minimum of three acres. McCool
responded that the parcels in Eagle's Ridge are an acre and a half, but that development was
created under the clustering portion of the zoning ordinance. There is a common area of about
23 acres that was deeded to the city, which would remain as permanent open space and
could not be developed.
Thiede made a motion to approve the application for the lot split and a variance to al-
low the new parcel to be 2.93 acres, subject to the conditions listed below. Reese
seconded.
Brittain clarified that Thiede's motion was to approve the application for the lot split and to shift
the variance over to the 2.93 -acre parcel.
1. Septic design, percolation tests, and soil borings must be approved by Washington
County Department of Health before the City releases the deed for this newly cre-
ated three -acre parcel.
2. No additional access to East Point Douglas Road will be allowed for either parcel.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 5 of 9
3. All applicable permits (i.e., building, electrical, etc.) shall be applied for and issued
by the City prior to any work or construction taking place.
4. Prior to the release of the property deeds for recording with Washington County, a
cash in lieu of park dedication fee shall be paid to the City, in the amount applicable
at the time of release of the property deeds for recording with Washington County.
5. The following permanent drainage and utility easements shall be dedicated to the
City as required by the City's Subdivision Ordinance (Title 10- 5 -6D):
6. A 10 -foot wide drainage and utility easement centered on and paralleling the new
common boundaries of the two parcels.
7. A 5 -foot wide drainage and utility easement paralleling the new common boundaries
of the application properties and the exception parcel.
8. The private access drive location shall be reviewed and approved by the City Engi-
neer, and a right of way permit issued before installation of said access.
9. The new private access drive shall be hard surfaced to the front setback line.
Motion passed unanimously (8 -to -0 vote).
6.3 3M Radio Control Flyers Club — Case ICUP06 -073
3M Company has applied for an interim conditional use permit to continue operation of a
radio control flyers field at 6221 Keats Avenue South.
Brittain noted that Vice Chair Reese will direct this agenda item as he is recusing himself be-
cause he is an employee of 3M.
McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval subject to the conditions
listed in the staff report.
Reese opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Reese closed the public hearing.
Thiede made a motion to approve the application subject to the conditions listed below.
Hale seconded.
1. The interim conditional use permit will expire December 31, 2011.
2. All model aircraft operating at this site must be equipped with mufflers.
3. The City's Noise Ordinance requirements must be complied with.
4. Parking along Keats Avenue is prohibited at all times.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 6 of 9
5. The 3M Remote Control Model Airplane Club must obtain an outdoor events permit
as required in City Code Title 5 -5 -3, Outdoor Events and Dances, prior to their an-
nual public air show event. The Club must apply for this permit a minimum of 30
days prior to the annual public air show.
6. A five -pound ABC rated fire extinguisher must be stored at the shelter and "NO
SMOKING" signs posted in the shelter.
Motion passed unanimously (7 -to -0 vote with 1 abstention).
6.4 Capital Improvement Plan — Case CP06 -074
The City of Cottage Grove has applied for a comprehensive plan amendment to adopt the
2007 -2012 Capital Improvement Plan.
Blin summarized the staff report and recommended approval. He then explained the capital
improvement plan. Brittain noted that funds are currently being put away to help with the $34
million spike in 2010. Blin responded that the proposed public safety building /city hall ac-
counts for a large portion of that amount and the city is currently setting money aside in a
capital fund to avoid a peak in the debt service levy. He then explained that when the City
Council adopts the CIP, they are not approving all the projects at that time; they all go before
the Council for approval on an individual basis. The largest share of projects are subdivision
street and utility improvements, which are then fully assessed back to the property owners.
Some of the other items in the CIP for 2007 include water system and stormwater system im-
provements the Jamaica Avenue /Highway 61 roundabout, reconstruction of Jamaica Avene
between 70th Street and Military Road, extension of 95th Street west of Hadley Avenue, re-
construction of Hadley from 65th Street to the Woodbury border, surveying of all public park
and open spaces, public landscaping initiative, lighting and security cameras for Kingston
Park, kiosks along the trail corridors, water improvements in the Gateway West area, storm -
water non - degradation plan, the Camel's Hump park development, a stormwater pipe across
Highway 61, and the Pinetree Pond improvements.
In 2008, the CIP includes the expansion of the ice arena. Thiede noted that the ice arena was
listed in the 2007 CIP at $4 million and in 2008 at $5.4 million. Blin responded that the Com-
mission's version of the CIP somehow got an extra page. Thiede asked if the Commission
was to ignore both pages 10 and 11. Blin responded to ignore page 10. He stated that the es-
timated cost of the ice arena expansion will be $5.4 million. Blin stated that the 2008 CIP in-
cludes a boat landing or river access. Cavallo asked if there is a specific site for the boat
landing. Blin responded that the proposed site is located on County land that spills into Grey
Cloud Township on the northeast side of Grey Cloud Island. Reese asked if there was still
discussion with Aggregate Industries about a boat landing. Blin stated that the land where the
previous boat launch was located on, which was leased by Aggregate Industries from the
Schilling family, was considered subpar because it was down an embankment from the road-
way and the river is relatively shallow in that area.
Blin reported that the largest single capital expenditure is the pavement management program
for reconstruction of streets. He explained that 45 percent of the costs would be assessed
against the abutting property owners. He then discussed funding sources, stating that nearly
half would come from special assessments against developers for street and utility installa-
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 7 of 9
tions, area funds, and state and federal funding. Cavallo asked if a project listed in the CIP
was not done, would that funding then go to a new project or move another project up. Blin re-
sponded that would be up to the Council.
Hale commented that the CIP goes through the Planning Commission because it is an
amendment to the comprehensive plan but there is very little in the CIP that relates to actual
planning. He believes, however, that those areas that do relate to planning issues should go
to the Planning Commission for review and comment before appearing in the CIP. He refer-
enced the 103rd Street Burlington Northern bridge and the extension of 95th Street, which are
integral to future development in that area. Blin stated that staff will forward that comment to
the City Council.
Cavallo asked where the projects in the CIP originated, from the Council or city staff. He also
asked about the items in the CIP for Hadley Avenue in conjunction with Walden Woods and
what would happen if the project was denied. Blin responded that the cost was an estimate for
reconstructing Hadley Avenue north of 65th Street. If the Council decides not to reconstruct
Hadley, that amount comes out of the plan. He then explained that the projects originate from
a combination of the Council direction and staff initiative. For example, the Council approved
the improvements for East Ravine Neighborhood 1, but the initiative for the specific projects
came from staff.
Reese asked if the county was going to help fund part of the roundabout. Blin responded that
the state will fund about a half million dollars. Reese then asked if the East Ravine was
pushed back further, would that have any effect on the CIP and on the proposed city facility
being built. Blin responded that if the city did not start the East Ravine improvements in 2007,
that cost factor would slide forward. In terms of the city facility, the Council has determined the
location but not when it is going to built.
Thiede asked if the city pays up front for the costs to construct new roads and then assesses
those costs afterwards or do the developers pay prior to the roads being constructed. Blin re-
sponded that it is an assessment after the fact but the city does recover all costs with interest.
The city also charges administrative and engineering fees.
Folch asked about the upcoming infrastructure management assessments for the various ex-
isting neighborhoods and what is the plan to notify the residents in those neighborhoods. Blin
responded that typically the city starts talking about upcoming projects two years prior to
commencement.
Poncin asked if replacement of the swimming pool was part of the CIP. Blin responded that is
not in the current CIP. The city has been doing basic maintenance on the pool for a number of
years but there is no plan to replace it. He noted that there was also no community center in
the CIP.
Reese asked if the CIP includes the reconstruction of 70th Street. Blin responded that 70th
Street between Keats and Jamaica is not planned to be reconstructed within this five -year
time frame.
Cavallo asked if the Council decides to not include some projects but wants to add another,
would the Planning Commission see a revised CIP if the numbers changed dramatically. Blin
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 8 of 9
responded that would be the Council's prerogative to revise the CIP during the year or wait
until next year's proposal. Brittain explained that the CIP is a plan that gives the city a frame-
work to plan funding for upcoming projects.
Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing.
Thiede made a motion to approve the comprehensive plan amendment to adopt the
2007 -2012 Capital Improvement Plan with removal of pages 10 and 11 because they are
duplicates. Reese seconded.
Motion passed unanimously (8 -to -0 vote).
Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of September 25, 2006
Being that there were no corrections or additions to the September 25, 2006, minutes,
they were approved as sent.
Reports
8.1 Recap of October City Council Meetings
Blin reviewed the items discussed by the City Council at their meetings on October 4, 2006
and October 18, 2006.
8.2 Committee Reports
None.
8.3 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries
None.
8.4 Planning Commission Requests
Brittain asked about posting the agenda on the city's web page. Blin responded that the
agenda will be posted on the web page.
Cavallo asked if the packets could be distributed to the Commission a week prior to the
meeting. Blin responded that it would be difficult to have the full packet completed by the
Monday prior to the meeting due to time constraints on when the applications are received. He
stated that Wednesday prior is possible. He also suggested that staff could e-mail a tentative
agenda to the Planning Commission.
Reese asked about the Ott- Custom One development. Blin responded that was approved with
a reconfigured cul -de -sac that has only two lots and was skewed to the west so the one house
pad is in line with the house to the north.
Planning Commission Minutes
October 23, 2006
Page 9 of 9
Reese stated that there are traffic issues at the new intersection of 90th Street and County
Road 19 and asked if there had been discussions on the County level about adding a light in
that area. Grossklaus reported that that intersection was brought up at the Public Works
Commission and staff is looking into changes in the signage and lighting for that intersection.
Adjournment
Motion by Reese, seconded by Hale, to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously (8- to -0).
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.