HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-09-1999, PC Minutes - draftPLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES - FEBRUARY 9, 1999
PRESENT: LENNY LEUER, SUSIE MACKAY, ELIZABETH WEIR, FRANK
MIGNONE, BRUCE WORKMAN, CAROLYN SMITH AND JERRY
BROST. ALSO PRESENT: MAYOR JOHN FERRIS, COUNCILMEMBER
JOHN HAMILTON, COUNCILMEMBER PHIL ZIETLOW, PLANNING AND
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR LOREN KOHNEN, PUBLIC WORKS
DIRECTOR JIM DILLMAN, CITY CLERK PAUL ROBINSON AND
PLANNING AND ZONING ASSISTANT SANDIE LARSON.
ABSENT: KATHY COOK
Chairperson Lenny Leuer called the meeting to order at 6:12 p.m.
Comprehensive Plan - Transportation Section
Maps were put up and different streets were talked about.
Lenny Leuer thought that maybe Rolling Hills Road should be a city collector street as
there is only the one storage facility that it serves in Medina.
John Hamilton said there are 40-50 homes in Corcoran that use the road to get to Co.
Rd. 50.
Jim Dillman said there was no reason for a light there.
L. Leuer asked about the proposed road from Co. Rd. 19 to Pioneer.
J. Dillman said the one from 19 will some day continue to Pioneer and up to 55. He
said this will be to serve the commercial area. He said there is a 60' right-of-way going
west from Pioneer.
L. Leuer asked about Townline Road and Highway 55.
J. Hamilton said there were turn lanes there and Lenny asked they were slated to
remain.
J. Dillman said there were no plans for there - 10 years for sure.
L.Leuer wanted to know if there should be a mark on the map showing a future signal
there like the other intersections on 55.
Jerry Brost asked if there was a need for a stop light there.
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J. Hamilton said that Corcoran is putting in a frontage road west of Pioneer by Ess
Brothers.
L.Leuer asked if there were any county plans to straighten out the curve on Co. Rd. 19
by Sycamore and Paul said that the county does not show anything happening there.
Loren Kohnen said the park does not like their property split by a road.
J. Brost asked why you would want this done and both Loren and Paul said for safety.
Paul said he would check with the county if there were any plans.
Lenny asked about 29 & 12 and there was discussion of the possible closing of
Townline onto Hwy 12.
Lenny pointed out that Mohawk Drive by City hall dead ends and does not go to Medina
Road - Paul said he would change.
There was discussion of roads connecting Bantle, Willow, Blackfoot, Tamarack,
Chestnut.
J. Dillman said the way existing development is, it is not needed.
There was discussion of land parcels in the area o the need for access to some of the
parcels - wetlands, etc.
Carolyn Smith said she was under the impression that a piece of land could not be
landlocked.
L.Leuer asked if we were discussing leaving the Elwell property blank and Loren said
we should, that it probably would be a PUD and can work with if then.
Paul said that .... `s would show roads as concept roads and Carolyn said she thought
the straightening out of Co. Rd. 19 at Sycamore should be shown as a concept.
There was discussion of straightening out 101 north of 55.
Planning Commission Action Items
Chairperson Lenny Leuer called this portion of the meeting to order at 7:39 p.m.
1. POLARIS INDUSTRIES - RE -ZONING AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT -
PUBLIC HEARING
Loren Kohnen read his memo to the planning commission and put up overheads of the
site. He stated that the first item to discuss would be the re -zoning from rural
commercial/rural industrial to urban commercial/urban industrial.
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Elizabeth Weir asked about the darker areas by the building to the north.
, said this was an area adjacent to the patio area.
Jerry Brost asked about the number of employees.
, said initially there would be 285 with ultimately approximately 450.
J. Brost asked about screening for the residents. He questioned seeing from the upper
level of homes nearby.
L. Kohnen said that the homes in the area are back quite far, but we do have to
consider future homes - he said that landscaping closer to the building works better. He
then showed overheads of the interior and the lighting plan - plan shows 0 candle power
Art Scherber, 2120 Chippewa Road, asked if the main entrance would be off Mohawk
and Loren said yes.
Barb Workman, 2212 Chippewa Road, asked about trucks off Mohawk.
Todd Messerli, HGA Architects, had additional visuals and a small scale plan of the
proposal. He explained the building site and how the proposed building fits into the
landscape, the use of materials, wood and brick and how it fits into the nature of the site
- he showed samples of the brick, wood and aluminum faced windows, etc.
David Jackson, said that the model did not reflect the colors that will be used. He also
explained that they (Polaris) are tending purchase agreements with the two home
owners that are in the SW corner of the property. The homes will ultimately come down
and the area will be left natural.
Frank Miqnone said that will square off the property.
Bruce Workman said that by removing the two homes it will improve the site.
Bill Cavanaugh asked about the building height and the setbacks.
T. Messerli said the building will be 30' high with the multi purpose center being 34'
high.
L. Kohnen said the setback from Chippewa is 100-125' from the road to the building.
He said there will be 5-8' berm with 8' trees that grow about 1' per year.
Barb Workman said that her biggest concern is traffic.
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D. Jackson said that some employees come at 6 a.m. and others 7-7:45 a.m. and work
until 4-6 p.m..
Barb Workman asked if people can leave using Mohawk. She questioned whether
Chippewa could take the traffic.
Bruce Workman said going from 20 cars per day to 700-800 cars per day - the road
goes from a quiet residential road to a busy commercial. He said he would rather more
traffic goes to Mohawk.
D. Jackson said that there is not a significant amount of truck traffic. He said at the
current facility there is trucks 2-3 times a week - maybe 1-2 semi trucks per week. He
said seasonal products will be tested for the dealers and mechanical training -
promotional materials, posters, etc. would be delivered.
Bruce Workman asked about the outside use.
D. Jackson said there would be 1 or 2 sites for trailers that are used for hauling
equipment to other facilities and there are a number of employees who ride motorcycles
to work. There is no test track proposed for the site.
Barb Workman said she is concerned with the residents who are on Chippewa - our
lives will change because of the traffic.
Jim Dillman, Medina public works director, said that staff has met with the city engineers
and MnDOT about the roads. He said that the city council has authorized the engineers
to do a feasibility study for a signal light at Willow Drive and Highway 55. As soon as
the city will get to Chippewa to do work on the road is the year 2000. As far as the
signal at Willow Drive, MnDOT is requiring more traffic on Chippewa - Mohawk would
be a right in -right out - the city would like to see that not happen. He said that
eventually MnDOT would not allow any driveway on the north side of 55 and all the
entrances would go to Chippewa. He said that a condition would be that all existing
entrances will be closed off.
Bruce Workman and Frank Mignone questioned whether work would be done on
Chippewa before Polaris opens.
J. Dillman said that until the work is done, Polaris would have to use Mohawk and it
probably would be 2001 before it is completed.
Barb Workman said then all the traffic would use Chippewa to the west. said then all the
traffic would use Chippewa to the west.
Bruce Workman said if 400 employees are going to use Chippewa, then MnDOT should
re -look at the light - he said it makes more sense for a light at Mohawk - he said he is
worried about the stacking of traffic on Chippewa.
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J. Brost said that Polaris employees could be asked to exit to Mohawk.
A. Scherber said that some traffic will come in from the north on the Corcoran side.
D. Jackson said the Polaris employees come from all over - Fairbault, Elk River, west of
here, etc.
F. Mignone said that coming to work won't be the problem, leaving will be.
D. Jackson said that their druthers would be a light at Mohawk.
L. Kohnen said that you could have it, but Polaris would have to pay for it.
D. Jackson said that MnDOT could be told that we are eliminating two driveway onto
Highway 55 by purchasing the two homes - now lets look at a signal for Mohawk.
Carolyn Smith said there is very little traffic on Chippewa . She asked how many
employees there were at Hennepin County and Loren said about 300. She said that we
required that Hennepin County come out to 55, why aren't we thinking of Mohawk.
Bruce Workman said Willow is a better intersection.
F. Mignone said that the difference with Hennepin County, is that they have a numbelr
of trucks coming and going.
Lenny Leuer asked about discussion of pushing Chippewa to Arrowhead .
L. Kohnen said if we put light on Willow, the cost is spread among all businesses.
Barb Workman said that a light will favor 55.
Phil Zietlow asked how many employees at the current Polaris facility and Todd said
about 260. Phil said that he goes by the current facility every day, but has never seen
,more than 2 cars leave at the same time.
C. Smith said that this will be a major change for the residents in the area. She said
she is concerned how to mitigate the impact on the residents to the north and also has a
concern about safety of employees going out to Mohawk and also concerned that the
proposal for the road is still about 2 years away.
Bruce Workman said that Chippewa is not adequate now - needs major improvements.
D. Jackson said they will work hand in hand in the road improvements - he said they are
a private property owner (not Hennepin County) and on the tax roles and will work with
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the city to bring MnDOT to the table for a solution - he said they stand ready to pay their
fair share for Chippewa.
Elizabeth Weir asked about Chippewa to the east.
J. Dillman said we have looked at that - doing that would pull M&P, etc. going down
Chippewa to Arrowhead. He said there is no plan to do it if a light goes on Willow.
E. Weir said that it seems like it would help with the traffic.
F. Mignone said there would be more commercial traffic coming from the west on
Chippewa.
Bruce Workman said it would be very expensive to cross a major wetland for a road.
There was further discussion of upgrading Chippewa, Mohawk and Arrowhead. Jim
explained that Chippewa would be brought up to a 9 ton road with the city paying their
usual share and everyone would receive a residential assessment - he said that 100°/0
of a 9 ton road is assessed commercial to the south.
J. Brost asked the cost of a light and Jim said $400,000.
There was further discussion of design for the intersection.
J. Dillman said that he doubted that MnDOT would allow a light at Mohawk.
Barb Workman asked if Chippewa was considered a frontage road and Jim said yes.
Barb said this proposal would affect their selling of their property in the future. She said
the people on Mohawk wanted their road upgraded, paved, etc. and we do not.
B. Cavanaugh said to keep the problem closer to home - look at Mohawk.
Bruce Workman asked if a frontage road could be put up front where the two homes will
be taken down and then over to Willow.
L. Kohnen said a road has to be kept on high ground.
F. Mignone said eventually you will not be able to turn left to 55 from Mohawk.
There was further talk of the 55/Mohawk intersection.
C. Smith asked if there could be a condition that Polaris could not use Mohawk and
Loren said we could not do that.
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Bruce Workman said that lots of people will go up Mohawk to the north and across to
116.
D. Jackson said they are looking to break ground the 1st part of April with occupancy in
January 2000.
J. Dillman said that the road project has already been approved for 2000.
L. Leuer reminded the planning commission that there are two items before us, the re-
zoning and the conditional use permit.
Barb Workman said the traffic problem is being put under the table.
L. Leuer said that this board cannot solve this problem - would you like to be part of any
meetings with MnDOT and Barb said yes.
L. Kohnen said that it is critical that the intersection (Willow and 55) problem be worked
out as soon as possible - hopefully this will be done by 2001.
C. Smith said that before Polaris opens it's doors, Chippewa must be upgraded - she
said that Polaris should pay for it because the residents don't want it upgraded.
D. Jackson said that would make it a private road.
L. Kohnen said it has to be everybody.
J. Dillman said they have met with the other businesses that would be involved and they
know what will happen if a light goes in at Willow and what it entails.
Barb Workman said it seems like you are going by what businesses want and not the
residents.
C. Smith said that we have to go to great lengths to protect residential property.
A. Scherber said this is not accommodating to residents in the least. He said he would
put up with it all but there is no benefit - why would I want to pay for it.
J. Brost asked the cost and Jim said about $300,000. He said that the council has
assessment hearings and it is up to them to decide how it is assessed.
MOVED BY CAROLYN SMITH AND SECONDED BY ELIZABETH WEIR TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REZONING OF THE 33 ACRES IN THE NW
CORNER OF HIGHWAY 55 AND MOHAWK DRIVE FROM RC/RI TO UC/UI.
MOTION PASSED.
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MOVED BY FRANK MIGNONE AND SECONDED BY JERRY BROST TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR POLARIS
CORPORATION FOR THEIR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS ON THE 33 ACRES
AT THE NW CORNER OF MOHAWK DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 55 WITH THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: ( the following conditions were part of the staff memo to
the planning commission - those conditions that are in bold type have been added or
modified by the planning commission)
1. Additional landscaping units be provided at the area of the NW corner of the
building and SE of the wetland to consist of 2 rows of 8' Black Hills spruce,
12' o.c., staggered on top of the berm and to be shown on a revised site plan.
2. Provide additional ROW as required by MnDOT or the city.
3. Height of light standards in parking areas and walkways not to exceed 20'.
4. All exterior lighting on site be downcast only with fixtures having all sides
enclosed except the bottom with the globe and light source not visable from
the sides. All lighting on site to meet city ordinances and be as per lighting
plan.
5. Exterior building lighting not to be above the first floor level - no more
than 15' above grade.
6. Size of trees being used in landscaping be provided and landscaping plan be
approved by staff.
7. All trash containers be completely screened using building materials similar to
those used in the construction of the building.
8. MnDOT to review proposed plans. (have been sent to them)
9. All roof top equipment be completely screened.
10 Easements provided over all wetlands and pond as per city engineer (this
needs to be clarified - 2nd paragraph in Glenn's letter)
11. Drainage plan to be approved by the Elm Creek Watershed District and city
engineer
12. Fire department to review and approve (building is sprinkled)
13. No outside speakers or bells
14. Building plans to be reviewed by Met Council to determine SAC units
required. This must be accomplished before any building permits are issued.
( letter received from Met Council - 36 SAC units required)
15.A letter of credit be provided to cover all site, utility and exterior lighting
issues. Costs of these improvements to be provided to city engineer for
determination of amount of letter of credit.
16.Polaris to sign a Petition and Waiver agreement for Chippewa and
Willow road improvements.
17.All signage to meet city ordinances and be approved by staff.
18. No test track or running of snowmobile/ATV's after 6 p.m.
19.All conditions to be met before occupancy
20.AII Polaris construction traffic to use Mohawk until improvements are
completed on Chippewa
21.Trailers on site must be currently licensed, insured and road worthy
22.Any outside storage must be screened.
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23.10' trail easement on west side of Mohawk on Polaris east property line
to be done by separate instrument
24.All wells on site to be abandoned per state code
There was discussion of clarifying Glenns' letter on easements and where they would
be. Loren pointed out on an overhead the location.
Bruce Workman said he thought that the NW corner of the property was adequately
treed.
D. Jackson said that they would replace some and save what makes sense He also
said that they have no problem with any of Glenn's letter.
John Ferris explained the road process and that it is the city's responsibility and not
Polaris's.
There was further discussion of obtaining the two properties in the SW corner of the
Polaris property.
MOTION PASSED WITH BRUCE WORKMAN ABSTAINING.
MOVED BY CAROLYN SMITH AND SECONDED BY FRANK MIGNONE TO
RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT WE IMMEDIATELY START THE
PROCESS OF THE IMPROVEMENT/UPGRADING OF CHIPPEWA ROAD AND
WORK WITH MnDOT FOR THE LIGHT AT WILLOW DRIVE AND HIGHWAY 55 TO BE
DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
MOTION PASSED.
The Scherber's and Workman's to be notified of any meetings with MnDOT/property
owners, etc. on proposed road improvements.
2. PRINCIPAL USE ORDINANCE - PUBLIC HEARING
Loren Kohnen went over the intent of the proposed ordinance. He stated that billboards
would be considered a principal use. If property that has a billboard on it is used for
something else, the billboard would have to go.
Elizabeth Weir asked if Schubert sign could come back,
L. Kohnen said that is between the landowner and sign company.
MOVED BY FRANK MIGNONE AND SECONDED BY ELIZABETH WEIR TO
RECOMMEND APPROVAL THE ADOPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL USE ORDINANCE
WITH THE ADDITION OF EXEMPTING AGRICULTURE USE AS A PRINCIPAL USE.
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MOTION PASSED.
3. DISCUSSION OF SUBDIVISION REGULATIONS
Lenny Leuer said there is confusion on the lot size proposed and there has been lots of
questions from residents.
Phil Zietlow said that the current ordinance says that if there is 2 acres of conventional
soils a lot could be 2 acres and going into effect July 1st is says if there are 5 acres of
good soils there can be a 5 acre lot.
Carolyn Smith said this was designed for slow growth, that was the intent.
Susie Mackay said she would like to see copies of the minutes when the ordinance was
changed in 1997.
P. Zietlow said there were a number of things to discuss: 1) How we came up with 8
acres with 2 1/2 acres of good soils - we should have been looking at 10 acres - if we
went with the 2 1/2 acres of good soils and 10 acre minimum lot size, it would add about
80 lots with a maximum of about 91 lots and 2) The Holasek property - there could be
90 homes with SR zoning - he said that the feedback has been no additional
subdivisions in the city - people are concerned with more people moving in and 3) Lot
inventory - he passed out a map.
There was discussion of wetlands in the city - the number of lots - Phil said that for
comprehensive plan planning purposed you have to use the maximum number of lots
Elizabeth Weir said that we shouldn't go against what the residents want.
C. Smith asked how many people have played by the old rules.
John Ferris said that very few of the lots in Oakview where he lives would meet todays
ordinance.
The question was put to Phil, why change the ordinance for one persons request - if it
ain't broke, why fix it?
P. Zietlow said based on todays' values the city would bring in $200,000 more per year -
do not anticipate many more additional services needed - when we add large lots, they
pay for it.
C. Smith said that 5 letters do not make it - to really find out if people want to see this
change we should send out a letter to everyone and ask how they feel about the
proposal and then have the planning commission act on it.
J. Ferris said that 10 acre lots is not creeping suburbia.
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Bruce Workman asked if we were ready for criticism from the Met Council.
J. Ferris said that the Met council does not like people who live on large lots or make a
lot of money.
Jerry Brost said there is a lot of confusion - people think if we pass this we will change
the population of Medina
S. Mackay wanted to know the underlying reason for the change.
P. Zietlow said it for fairness for the larger lot owners in Medina who want to subdivide.
C. Smith said just fairness is not a good reason - if we want to talk fair, lets talk about
barns and having to be 150 feet away from property lines when there is a narrow, long
lot of 5 acres or more and they cannot have a barn because of the setback requirement.
P. Zietlow said bring the issue to the council.
There was further discussion of the proposed changed.
C. Smith asked how we get a real proposal out there for the residents to understand.
Martha Vandeven, 1765 Medina Road, said that she understood it and it still changes
what Medina is about - she said she does not see any reason for a change - residents
that came to the comprehensive plan meetings do not want to see a change.
Madeleine Linck, 1762 Morgan Road, said the bottom line is - stay as is with fewer
buildable lots - agrees with so why fix it if not broke.
C. Smith said if we cannot tell people what is happening and explain it to them - - - -
John Ferris said he has no personal vested issue in this - what people want is what
people will get.
C. Smith had a couple questions/concerns: 1) how much room is need for a septic
system Phil and Loren said about 1/10 of an acre and 2) concerned with making a
change if it isn't what people want.
B. Workman said he agrees with John Ferris says - it is an issue of fairness.
Rosanne Eppel said she does not see people clamoring at the door for a change - if you
do send anything out to residents, it will have to be written as if to a 4 year old and then
they still probably won't understand it.
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P. Zietlow if you send anything to the residents you have to talk about all of the
property, including the county and Holasek property.
B. Workman said what residents would like to hear is no more development.
S. Mackay said you can feel the difference in the rural areas of the city vs the Hamel
area and that is the charm of our city - we can offer a variety of housing and it is not fair
to say we don't want any more people - we have the urban areas that are growing.
MOVED BY CAROLYN SMITH AND SECONDED BY SUSIE MACKAY TO TAKE A
STRAW VOTE ON HOW THE PLANNING COMMISSION FEELS ABOUT CHANGING
THE SOILS AND ACREAGE REQUIREMENTS.
MOTION PASSED
Would you like to see a change:
COMMISSIONER
VOTE
Carolyn Smith No
Susie Mackay No
Frank Mignone No
Lenny Leuer No
Elizabeth Weir No
Jerry Brost No
Bruce Workman Abstain - feels this needs more work
3. Set Comprehensive Discussion Meeting
The next meeting to discuss the comprehensive plan was set for Tuesday, February
23rd at 6 p.m.
4. Minutes of December , 1998
Minutes of January , 1999
Frank Mignone wanted to acknowledge the letter received from Julius Dorweiler.
Susie Mackay mentioned the article in the Minneapolis paper about the Hennepin
county facility receiving architectural awards. Susie will drat a letter from the planning
commission to the county.
MOVED BY BRUCE WORKMAN AND SECONDED BY JERRY BROST TO ADJOURN.
MOTION PASSED.
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Meeting adjourned at 12 midnight.
Planning and Zoning Assistant Date
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