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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07J Planning Commission Minutes City Council Action Request Form Meeting Date 9/7/2016 Department Community Development Agenda Category Consent Agenda Title Accept July 25, 2016 Planning Commission Minutes Staff Recommendation Accept the minutes from the Planning Commission meeting on July 25, 2016 Budget Implication N/A Attachments July 25, 2016, Planning Commission Minutes City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission July 25, 2016 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Park- way South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, July 25, 2016, in the Council Chambers and telecast on Local Government Cable Channel 16. Call to Order Chair Brittain called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Members Present: Ken Brittain, Justin Fox, Adam Graf, Kimberly Graff, Jake Haagsman, Jim Rostad, Roger Zopfi Members Absent: Sam Awad, Derek Rasmussen Staff Present: Jennifer Levitt, Community Development Director/City Engineer John McCool, Senior Planner John M. Burbank Senior Planner Dave Thiede, City Councilmember Approval of Agenda Graf made a motion to approve the agenda. Haagsman seconded. The motion was approved unanimously (7-to-0 vote). Open Forum Brittain asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission on any non-agenda item. No one addressed the Commission. Chair’s Explanation of the Public Hearing Process Brittain explained the purpose of the Planning Commission, which serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council, and that the City Council makes all final decisions. In addition, he explained the process of conducting a public hearing and requested that any person wishing to speak should go to the microphone and state their full name and address for the public record. Public Hearings and Applications 6.1 Blaskowski Driveway Addition – Case V2016-052 Matthew and Pamela Blaskowski have applied for a variance to allow a driveway at 7325 Joliet Circle south to be two feet from the side property line instead of the required six-foot side yard setback for driveways in the R-4, Low Density Residential District. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 2 of 10 Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Brittain asked for clarification on the distance from the fire hydrant. Burbank responded that within the public right-of-way it can’t be any closer than five feet to the fire hydrant. Brittain noted that most of the other driveways in the neighborhood that were highlighted tapered down to a two-car width curb cut. Burbank responded that this driveway would also do that. Matthew Blaskowski, 7325 Joliet Circle South, stated that he does not agree with Condition #4 regarding the requirement that it be tapered within the public right-of-way and shall be no closer than the existing distance at the fire hydrant location. He noted that the driveway is currently about seven to eight feet away from the hydrant. He would like to get closer than five feet if possible. He showed photographs of some neighborhood fire hydrants and their dis- tances to driveways. He stated that his driveway would be no wider than 23 feet at the curb. Brittain highlighted in the findings of fact that the first one about “the pie-shaped configuration creates difficulty meeting the required setback” noting that typically he does not believe the shape of the lot would be a finding of fact. However, he sees this as slightly different because these lots were platted in the 1990s when a two-foot setback was allowed. He suggested clarifying Finding of Fact A to add verbiage that the pie-shape was contributed to by the ordi- nance at the time the plat was approved. He does not want to set a precedent that just because somebody owns pie-shaped lot on a cul-de-sac that there is justification for a variance. He stated that he is in favor of the variance as stated in the application. Brittain opened the public hearing. No one spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Fox asked if the garage addition was built without a driveway and if the garage meets the setback requirements. Burbank responded yes. Graf made a motion to approve the variance based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Graff seconded. Fox asked about the hydrant setback. Burbank clarified that the condition should say a mini- mum of five feet. Graf noted that the current driveway is about six feet from the hydrant so the five-foot setback would add an additional foot to the new driveway. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). 6.2 New Middle School – Cases ZA2016-045, PP2016-046, CUP2016-047, SP2016-048 South Washington County Schools has applied for a zoning amendment to change the zoning of 57.14 acres of land located on the southeast corner of 65th Street and Geneva Avenue/Century Avenue from AG-2, Agricultural, to R-2.5, Residential; a preliminary plat to create a lot for a proposed middle school; a conditional use permit to allow a school in a residential zoning district; and a site plan review of the 188,000 square foot middle school. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 3 of 10 McCool summarized the staff report and recommended approval based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions stipulated in the staff report. Graff asked if there will be parking along Geneva Avenue and 66th Street. McCool responded that there have been discussions about allowing parking along one side of 66th Street, in the bus parking area. No parking is proposed along Geneva Avenue. Graff stated that she is glad that extra parking will be provided but she is concerned that during large events, this location does not have accessible street parking. McCool responded that the distance from the event parking and the bus parking area is about 400 feet from the east end of the bus parking area to the football field/track. Rostad asked if the emergency road going around the building would be wide enough to pro- vide parallel parking for special events. McCool stated that it will be school policy to prohibit parking along the emergency lane. It is 20 feet wide and could allow parking on one side but public safety has concerns that emergency vehicles might have a difficult time maneuvering along the emergency lane if other passenger vehicles were parked on the lane. If parking along the lane is proposed, the lane should be widened. The School District said it will be posted as “No Parking - Emergency Access Only.” Brittain asked if the area along the emergency lane could be widened in the future to allow for parallel parking. McCool responded that curb, irrigation systems, paved surface, and fire hy- drants would need to be removed and the area along the emergency land re-graded. Mike Vogel, Interim Director of Facilities and Construction for South Washington County Schools, 7362 East Point Douglas Road South, clarified that the name of the school will be Oltman Middle School once the building is open, and the existing Oltman Middle School will be converted to an elementary building as the home for the Nuevas Fronteras Spanish immer- sion program. He noted that the real estate closing was last Wednesday. Graff asked if walking paths will be incorporated on both sides of 65th Street with the round- about or only on the south side. Vogel responded that will need to be addressed by the City. He stated there are negotiations to put a path on the north side, but currently the plan only shows it on the south side. Levitt stated that the City does not have adequate right-of-way along the north side of 65th Street to construct a trail from the Highland Hills development to the roundabout. The City will contact the property owner. The City is also working with Wash- ington County on the roundabout and 65th Street roadway design to see if a trail can be con- structed on the south side of 65th Street from the northeast corner of the new middle school site to Meadow Grass Avenue. Levitt said the existing terrain and rural roadway section along this section of 65th Street makes it challenging to make that trail connection. Brittain asked about the building schedule. Vogel stated that they would like to break ground in late October. They have a 22-month building timeframe, which will allow them to open the building in August 2018. Brittain opened the public hearing. Verene Posavad, 6193 65th Street South, stated that they have owned that property prior to the 1950s. She noted that they met with Vogel who explained the project to them in detail. She Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 4 of 10 expressed concerns about access to sewer and water on their 17-acre property. Levitt stated that the City would be extending water service via 66th Street and Goodview to provide water main looping through the site for future development and will also provide sanitary sewer and water services down 66th Street to facilitate the 17 acres. Sanitary sewer will be extended to the roundabout area to allow future development north of 65th Street. Posavad asked if a zoning impact study had been done. She is concerned about increased traffic as it is currently difficult to get out of her driveway onto 65th Street because of visibility due to the elevation changes in the road. She does not want parking on 65th Street. John Posavad, 6193 65th Street South, expressed concern with how the plat is laid out for the roads, roundabouts, and walking trails. He pointed out that the roundabout protrudes into their property and farm field and the proposed trail on the south side will cut through their driveway. Posavad said nobody has contacted them about compensation for right-of-way, access to their field, and the impact and liability on their personal property from kids walking through and trespassing. He asked if the City has done an impact study. He then expressed concern about not having enough parking spaces and suggested adding the proposed future parking spaces now and getting additional easements on either 65th or 66th Streets for added parking. Levitt stated that the City is still working with Washington County on the ultimate layout and design for 65th Street. One option is roundabouts at Geneva/65th Street and Goodview/65th Street. At this time, 65th Street is a County road. The City and County are contemplating a potential “turnback” of that road from the County to the City. One of the challenges with this project is the right-of-way to facilitate the necessary turn lanes. The roundabout at Goodview most likely would only have three legs, it would not have the northern leg, which would minimize neces- sary right-of-way. The City needs to have a final agreement with Washington County on the roadway design before working to acquire the necessary right-of-way. Staff’s intent is to review the designs with the Posavads in conjunction with Washington County. The applicant’s engi- neer is here and could provide information on the traffic study that was conducted by SRF. Staff has reviewed the traffic study and didn’t find negative impacts to the area. The School District will be financially responsible for the traffic improvements being proposed to mitigate concerns and issues. Brittain asked about access to current farming activities. Levitt stated that 65th Street is a county road so any future access points would have to be approved by Washington County. Posavad pointed out the access point to one of their fields that is being taken away by a possible curb and walking trail. Brittain asked if that is a defined access point by the County. Levitt explained that in rural sections farm access routes are permitted but are not defined access points on a technical spacing guideline. She believes the City can work with the appli- cant and property owner to provide access off Goodview due to safety considerations along 65th Street. Janet Neihart, 6751 Geneva Avenue South, stated that there are very few houses on the end of Geneva Avenue/Lincoln Avenue. She likes the rural characteristics in this area. She at- tended the neighborhood meeting on June 30 and was told parking might be constructed along the east side of Geneva/Lincoln Avenue for that section of roadway abutting the athletic fields. She and the neighbors south of the proposed athletic fields prefer a berm with trees to cut down on noise pollution and possible future light pollution. She is concerned about the round- about on 65th and Geneva because the hill on Geneva is treacherous in the winter to get up. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 5 of 10 McCool displayed the grading and landscaping plans. Dave Rey, Anderson-Johnson Associ- ates, 7575 Golden Valley Road, Minneapolis, explained the existing grades in the southwest and west side of the future athletic fields. Dey said they were contemplating putting in a retain- ing wall but with the layout of the grades and redesign since the School District meeting, a wall is no longer needed in that location. Neihart stated that at the meeting, they were talking about improving Geneva and putting curbs all the way down to the dead end of the road, but she doesn’t believe curbs are needed on a dead-end rural road and doesn’t want to be assessed for them. Levitt stated that they had contemplated putting 22 parking stalls on the east side of Geneva immediately adjacent to the ballfields to provide for additional parking with a turn- around at the south end, but based upon the analysis by the Parks Director, it was determined that the allotted parking in the parking lot and on 66th Street would suffice, so Geneva Avenue south of 66th Street would remain a rural section with the pavement width being a little wider. If curb and gutter was added, the property owners would not be assessed for that upgrade. Graff asked what the City and School District policy is regarding lighting for recreational fields. Levitt stated that there are no details yet regarding lighting the ballfields that would be under City ownership. Brittain asked if there would be some type of review on that in the future. Levitt responded yes. It could be at least five years until those fields are constructed. The review would be done by the Parks Commission and the City Council would make the final determi- nation. There would also be with a neighborhood meeting as part of that process. Verene Posavad asked about the size of the right-of-way on their property. Currently they have a continual line of trees and shrubbery setback five feet from 65th Street that provides privacy and noise protection. Levitt responded that the area referenced by Posavad is approximately 50 feet from the centerline of the road. The City, County, and School District will work with the Posavads to address their concerns. When the final design for the roadway is determined, those landscaping issues, tree removal, and grading limits would be negotiated. Brittain asked if a significant amount of landscaping was removed, would it be replaced. Levitt stated that trees and shrubs that are in the public right-of-way are typically not replaced but there would be negotiations regarding replacement for anything within private property. Tim Conrad, 410 Lincoln Avenue, St. Paul Park, stated that he met with the engineers from St. Paul Park and Cottage Grove and wanted to reiterate the questions he asked at that meet- ing. He expressed concerns about traffic issues, sight lines on the roads, difficulty going up 65th Street in the winter, school bus traffic, lack of parking, and lighting. He suggested that there should be a free right turn so westbound traffic west of the proposed Geneva/65th Street roundabout are not entering the roundabout and taking away momentum from getting up the road. He also suggested that 66th Street be a one-way in only and that the buses would exit onto Goodview. During his discussion with the engineers, he talked about having parallel park- ing on the adjacent side of the ballfields with a little turnaround area so people would not exit 66th Street onto Geneva Avenue. If parking is allowed along the east side of Geneva Avenue, he suggested that a “No Parking” sign is posted on the west side of Geneva Avenue. He also like to see signage that says “no school/activity parking beyond this point” at the end of the little turnaround on Geneva Avenue because there aren’t any curbs on the narrow road and is concerned that vehicles will park on their yards or drive on their grass to turn around. He then expressed concern about drainage and water flow, which usually ends up in his yard. He asked that there berms be installed along Geneva instead of walls, which could deteriorate or be vandalized. He asked if the future ballfields would be left wild or rough groomed. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 6 of 10 Levitt responded that School District will grade the future athletic fields. The City will finish with topsoil and grass seed. They would probably be mowed twice a year. There will be street lighting on Goodview Avenue and 66th Street and at the Geneva and 66th Street intersection. No additional street lighting is proposed on Geneva/Century/Lincoln. Staff is currently review- ing turnaround options with the City of St. Paul Park. The City of Cottage Grove will continue to maintain and plow Geneva Avenue. Currently, there is a hammerhead at the end of Geneva Avenue for snowplows and garbage trucks to turn around. Regarding the drainage, condition #7 in the recommendations for approval addresses that issue. There are some modifications that need to be made to the grading plan for the southwest corner of the property that will provide the necessary pipe extensions and catch basins to improve the drainage. About 85 percent of the stormwater runoff would be contained in the storm basins on the middle school property. Levitt said work on the final design will involve Newport and St. Paul Park staff and will continue to work with those cities on parking. The final designs and layouts of the inter- section are still being studied. Levitt stated that she talked with Mr. Conrad about the free right turn and that is being studied also. The profile of the road has some challenges in the winter so we are looking at the road design but reducing some of those hills would have impacts on adjacent property owners. Conrad asked that any lighting on Goodview and 66th Street be downward directed so it does not impact the skies. Levitt responded that the light fixtures on Goodview and 66th Street would be an acorn-style, so there is a top on it to prevent light radiating upward. The City is also using more LED light fixtures, which provides better objectivity in forcing that light down- ward. Brittain asked if the lighting is the Eastridge Woods neighborhood is acorn-style. Levitt responded no, those don’t have the cap to provide the cut off. John Kooyman, 6749 Geneva Avenue South, noted that the elevations of the ball and soccer fields are going to be 10 to 15 feet higher wanted an earthberm with trees to provide screening. He asked if pine trees could be planted on the top of the berm at the field level. He then asked who is paying for the recreational area. Brittain asked about the landscaping between the soccer fields. McCool presented the landscaping plan, noting that trees are proposed to be planted on the slope below the fields. Kooyman asked that additional trees be planted on top of the plateau. Rostad asked if the construction of the school and the plantings would be done at the same. McCool stated that construction and plantings that would be on the school property, which is Lot 1, will take place at the same time. As part of the development agreement between the City and School District, the plantings on the future athletic fields will also be addressed. Rostad suggested that planting the trees sooner than later will provide more time for them to mature. Levitt reported that any trees planted on the western half of the property are not re- moved during development of the ballfields and parking lot. It is the City’s intent to plant as many trees as possible around the two basins and to also figure out what can be planted along 66th Street that would not be impacted by future grading activities. Brittain asked who is responsible for completing the site improvements on the future field ex- pansions. Levitt responded that the future field expansions will be all City of Cottage Grove costs, with funding coming from the Park Trust Fund that are dedicated through development, or through the general fund or dedicated funding from revenue from our water tower leases. That will be a discussion by the City Council as we prepare the five-year capital improvement Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 7 of 10 program (CIP). At this time, those future ballfields and soccer fields are not in the City’s Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). Graff asked for an explanation of where the Park Trust funding comes from. Levitt responded that developers for new development either dedicate land or cash for future park development. Revenue from water tower leases with cellular companies was redirected towards park im- provements. The other option would be through the general fund, which would have a levy impact to the residents, but that is the Council’s last resort, as they want to be conscientious of the tax impact of park development. Kooyman asked if the ballfields will be paid for by the School District, prepped by the School District, and at some point sold to the City. Levitt responded that the details of the land trans- action would be outlined in the development agreement with the School District; the transfer of ownership has not been fully negotiated but at this time it is not anticipated that there is a fee associated with the land itself. Paul Seaton, 6690 Goodview Court South, stated that his property is south of the proposed school property. He asked about the status of the Clear Channel project for water runoff where property owners were asked to sign an easement to abate water runoff onto Highway 61. Levitt responded that the Clear Channel project was led by the South Washington Watershed Dis- trict, who was only able to construct the basin on the property that was immediately adjacent to Highway 61 (the former Wheels of Travel site) but was unable to do the improvements north of 70th Street because they were not able to secure all the necessary drainage and/or con- struction easements. She pointed out on the map the proposed stormwater basins on the proposed middle school property, noting that even though there will be additional impervious surface, the basins will provide rate control and water quality components, so the stormwater runoff into that ravine will be at a rate that is well below the existing rates. Conrad asked about berming along Geneva Avenue for the ballfields. He stated that the cur- rent farmland is about six to eight feet below the road surface and asked how the fields ended up ten feet above the road surface. Rey explained the grading plan and how drainage flows. At the northwest corner the land is five to ten feet lower than Geneva Avenue and in the south- west corner it is five to ten feet higher than Geneva Avenue with a matched grade point in the middle. As far as areas conducive for berming, the northwest corner slopes down rapidly to the field and would not be conducive to physical berms. He pointed out other locations they could potentially do some berming. They could also plant some trees along that edge to pro- vide some screening and sound barriers. Gina Tester, 6775 Geneva Avenue South, asked why there has to be an entrance off of Geneva Avenue instead of having all the access points off 65th Street, which is more level. Levitt responded that the School District wants provide separation between bus traffic and motorists doing drop-offs, so the access off Geneva was proposed. Having several access points will provide multiple options for leaving the site, which disburses the traffic and provides efficiency when exiting. In addition, growth will happen in this area in the future, so intersection improvements will be necessary. There is a lot of growth in our residential market and this is the most economical time to make intersection improvements. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 8 of 10 Conrad stated that based on the last response it sounds like there won’t be any further dis- cussion on 66th Street being a one-way in. The roundabout is not going to make the intersec- tion less dangerous, especially if it is congested with traffic trying to get out and down a relatively steep hill in the winter. Levitt stated that city staff would not recommend 66th Street be a one-way; it is important to provide access to those 17 acres for their use or future devel- opment, and it would also impede the egress from the site. No one else spoke. Brittain closed the public hearing. Graff stated that she understands the desire to keep the area looking rural but the reality is that the owner sold the property. The Planning Commission has to take action on the applica- tions before us. The Commission has to work within the ordinances, and this use is allowed by the ordinances. She also pointed out that we’ve spend a lot of time discussing what ifs and what happens when the ballfields go in and how does the School District sell those ballfields to city and who pays for them, but that is not a part in deciding whether to approve the proposal. The Commission does not have a say in what the School District does with their property. Regarding the ballfields being transferred to the City, at other schools, the School District owns the fields and leases them to the City and that may end up happening here. Fox made a motion to approve the zoning amendment, preliminary plat, conditional use permit, and site plan review for the proposed new middle school, based on the findings of fact and subject to the conditions listed in the staff report. Zopfi seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). 6.3 Temporary Health Care Dwellings – TA2016-053 The City of Cottage Grove has applied for a zoning text amendment to opt out of the re- quirements of Minnesota Statutes, § 462-3593, which permit and regulate temporary family health care dwellings, and to prohibit such dwellings in all zoning districts within the City. (The Public Hearing will be held by the City Council on August 10, 2016.) Burbank summarized the staff report and recommended approval. Haagsman asked if other cities have been opting out. Burbank responded that staff will have more information on that prior to this proposed ordinance going to the City Council. He noted that there is a deadline of September 1, 2016, to opt out per State Statute. Graff made a motion to approve the zoning text amendment. Rostad seconded. Graf stated that in his profession as a real estate broker in the State of Minnesota, he had an opportunity to take continuing education that discussed these facilities, and one of the fastest growing sectors for housing, including these, are the 65-plus generation. One of the things discussed is the affordability of long-term care for those individuals and these were presented as an option. He is a little discouraged that we are looking at curtailing them completely. He understands that there may some difficulty in allowing them but they are temporary facilities and affordable for people looking to take care of their loved ones’ end of life needs. He noted that there are nursing services that go with these medi-cottages. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 9 of 10 Motion passed on a 6-to-1 vote (Graf). Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of June 27, 2016 Graf made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 27, 2016, Planning Commission meeting. Rostad seconded. Motion passed unanimously (7-to-0 vote). Reports 8.1 Recap of July City Council Meetings Thiede summarized the agendas from the July 6 and 20, 2016, City Council meetings. 8.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries None 8.3 Planning Commission Requests Rostad stated that there are open house signs in the right-of-way close to the street and asked about enforcement. Levitt stated that staff will monitor those signs. Graff noted that she has noticed a lot of them on 80th Street, including on the medians. Haagsman asked if any of the solar gardens commenced building yet. McCool responded no. He believes the projects that have been approved are still going through the design process, and is planning to contact Xcel Energy for an update. Graf asked what the plans are for the rest of 65th Street up to Hinton Avenue. Levitt responded there are no specific plans for 65th Street at this point, and are contingent on a turnback agreement with Washington County. There are challenges on that roadway, including grades, sightlines, and failing pavement sections. Graf asked if that means the County would turn 65th Street over to the City. Levitt explained that the city would potentially entertain agreeing to the turnback of 65th Street depending upon either the financial contribution or improvements to the roadway. Currently, the County owns 65th Street from just east of Hinton Avenue to the Newport border. Graff stated that at the July 20 City Council meeting, Councilmember Olsen put out a challenge asking residents to host a Night to Unite party this year, and also urged citizens to consider hosting a party. Brittain asked for an update on the construction projects at 70th Street and 80th Street. Levitt reported 70th and Jamaica will re-open on Friday afternoon, July 29. She stated that 80th Street between Jamaica and Ideal will close on August 1 at 6:00 a.m. Contractually, the con- tractor has until August 11 to have the road opened; based on their schedule, the contractor plans to have it open on August 9. Graf asked if Hadley Avenue is still on track to open in August. Levitt stated that Hadley Ave- nue will be opened before school starts. Planning Commission Minutes July 25, 2016 Page 10 of 10 Adjournment Graff made a motion to adjourn. Graf seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. (7-to-0 vote).