HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-13-2007City of Medina Planning Commission March 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
CITY OF MEDINA PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
1. Call to Order: Chair Verbick called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Present: Planning Commissioners Mary Verbick, Jeff Pederson, Doug Dickerson, Sharon
Johnson, and Robin Reid.
Absent: Planning Commissioners Mark Bryant and Charles Nolan
Also Present: City Planning Consultant Jennifer Haskamp; Assistant to Planning Dusty Finke.
2. Public Comments:
Verbick stated that the notice for a public hearing for a Concept Plan from Mike Leuer on the
watertower site was published in the Crow River News, but that the applicant had adjusted
plans in the meantime. As such, this public hearing has been delayed, most likely to appear
in April. She inquired if there were any comments on items not on the agenda.
There were no public comments.
3. Update from City Council Proceedings:
Councilmember Weir delivered a brief report on City Council actions since the last Planning
Commission meeting. She noted that the Council was impressed with the concision and
quality of Planning Commission updates at the Council meetings.
Dickerson inquired about the frontage road on the Ferrellgas site.
Weir stated that the applicant was required to rearrange the NURP pond to allow for the road to
head along the west property line. She stated that the Council wants to work closely with
existing businesses in the City.
Johnson inquired if the City had discretion in the location of stop signs.
Weir stated that they could make those decisions on City streets.
Pederson inquired if the applicant was supposed to have discussions with Highway 55 Rental.
Weir noted that the City would have future discussions with regarding the frontage road. The
applicant was very willing to work with
Pederson stated that perhaps a street light might be considered at that intersection. He stated that
he felt the Council did a wonderful job with the application.
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City of Medina Planning Commission March 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
4. City Planner Report:
Haskamp stated that the Commission will hear two Concept Plans from Mike Leuer (one for
residential development, one for commercial), both regarding the parcel off of Willow Drive
where the water tower is located. She also noted that since it may be a relatively light
agenda, she will plan to present the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel goals and vision for
the Commission and also discuss the Panel's progress.
5. Approval of the February 13, 2007 Planning Commission Minutes:
Motion by Dickerson, seconded by Johnson to approve the February 13, 2007 minutes with
noted changes. Motion passes unanimously (Absent: Bryant and Nolan).
6. James Lane — Preliminary Plat to create two lots out an existing lot in the Rural
Residential (RR) zoning district — 2605 Hamel Road. Public Hearing
Haskamp delivered a brief staff report. She noted the location of the property off of Hamel Road
and Willow Drive. An existing home is located on the western portion of the property. The
property is 27.22 acres in size and zoned and guided Rural Residential. The proposal is to
create one lot of 19.02 acres (with 5.6 acres suitable soils) and another lot of 8.20 acres (with
5.0 acres suitable soils). She noted that no development is proposed on lot 2 at this time,
although a possible home site is noted on the plans. She noted that a wetland delineation was
completed and drainage easements are proposed over all wetlands. Haskamp noted that the
City has a relatively low level of discretion on a preliminary plat; if it meets the various City
ordinances, it should be approved. She concluded that each of the lots meets the City's
contiguous soils requirements and that all existing structures meet setback regulations.
Haskamp concluded that recommends approval of the preliminary plat along with the 10
conditions noted in the staff report.
James Lanes (2605 Hamel Road) stated that he did not have anything to add.
Public Hearing opened at 7:13 p.m.
Public Hearing closed at 7:13 p.m.
Dickerson inquired if the applicant had any concerns with any of the conditions.
Lane stated that 9 and 10 seem moot. There is no development proposed at this time and the
City will retain its ability to regulate building permits at the time it is proposed.
Motion by Pederson, seconded by Reid to recommend approval of the preliminary plat with
the 10 conditions within the staff report. Motion passes unanimously (Absent: Bryant,
Nolan).
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City of Medina Planning Commission March 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
7. Richard Burke and Ralph Miller — Preliminary Plat to create three lots out of four
existing lots in the Rural Residential (RR) zoning district — Hamel Road and Tomahawk
Trail. Public Hearing
Haskamp delivered a brief staff report. She noted the location on Hamel Road and Tomahawk
Trail. She stated that one of the lots is bisected by Tomahawk Trail, and the proposed
realignment would fix this issue. She noted there is an existing single family home on Lot 3.
Haskamp noted that there will actually be fewer lots upon approval and that no development
is proposed at the time. Haskamp stated that, again, the level of discretion is relatively low
on a preliminary plat.
Haskamp noted that although Lot 3 as proposed does not meet the 5 acres of contiguous soils
requirement, the lot line realignment does increase the amount of suitable soils on this lot
from its existing state.
Haskamp noted that the applicant wished to move forward previous to completing a wetland
delineation in the spring. She stated that City engineer completed a review of the
topography, aerial photography, and wetlands data in order to establish drainage easements
over areas that may be wetlands. The engineer erred on the side of including extra area
within the easements with an agreement with the applicant. In the future, the applicant could
undertake a wetland delineation and seek a vacation from the City. Haskamp noted that
because the rearrangement would result in fewer lots. Because of this fact, the City could not
require park dedication or trail dedications.
Haskamp concluded that staff recommends approval of the preliminary plat along with the
conditions noted in the staff report.
Gary Roeller (3280 Watertown Road, Long Lake; representing Burke and Miller) stated that staff
had covered the issues very well. He stated he was willing to answer any questions from the
Commission.
Public Hearing opened at 7:27 p.m.
Public Hearing closed at 7:27 p.m.
Dickerson stated that it would be nice to request the trail easement now. He asked if it would be
possible to set it up so that if there was a way to establish the easement and credit it if there
was further division in the future.
Verbick inquired if the applicant had any issues with the conditions within the staff report.
Roeller replied that he did not believe so.
Motion by Reid, seconded by Pederson to recommend approval of the Miller/Burke
preliminary plat subject to the conditions in the staff report. Motion passes unanimously
(Absent: Bryant, Nolan).
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City of Medina Planning Commission March 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
8. Robert Hopper — Conditional Use Permit for construction of a third accessory structure
in the Rural Residential (RR) zoning district — 2455 County Road 24. Public Hearing
Haskamp delivered a brief staff report. She noted the location of the property along County
Road 24. The property is approximately 10 acres in size, zoned and guided Rural Residential.
She noted the wetlands on the property.
Haskamp noted that there are two existing historic barns that will remain on site. The CUP
would allow for a 623 sq. ft. pool house and 2622 sq. ft. swimming pool. She noted that
accessory structure requirements are met in terms of setbacks and height. Haskamp stated that
the proposed architectural design matches the single family home. It creates a cohesive set of
buildings.
She noted that the construction as proposed does not impact wetlands or wetland buffers.
She stated that although the OHW is not identified, from known information, it looks like the
necessary setback is met. Adding the OHW is one of the conditions. The applicant should also
add the location of the creek and the flood plain. She stated that Building Official will check for
septic compliance at time of building permit.
Haskamp stated that staff believed the criteria for granting a conditional use permits are met, and
referred Commissioners to the staff report for specific explanation. She concluded that staff
recommends approval with the conditions in the staff report.
Allen Amis (1635 West 26th Street, Minneapolis, MN; representing the applicant) stated that
there are two existing 19th century barns that the owner wanted to be preserved. This pushes the
property over the allowed number of accessory structures. He noted that the milk house will be
demolished but the barns will stay.
Verbick inquired if the applicant had any questions or concerns with any of the conditions within
the staff report.
Amis stated that he had a few questions, but would work with staff on the conditions.
Johnson inquired if there was a fence around the pool.
Amis stated that they intended to have an automatic pool cover. The fence would for decorative
purposes.
Dickerson complemented the applicant on preserving the barns.
Johnson inquired about draining down a swimming pool.
Weir stated that they had an older pool and they have to drain it in the fall, but that newer pools
usually don't need to be drained.
Pederson inquired if the tunnel from the home to the guest house had any impact on the pool.
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City of Medina Planning Commission March 13, 2007 Meeting Minutes
Amis showed the location on the site plan and stated that it is far from the pool location.
Haskamp read a letter of support from Heidi M Horde.
Public Hearing opened at 7:50 p.m.
Public Hearing closed at 7:50 p.m.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Dickerson to recommend approval of the CUP with the 10
conditions outlined by City Staff. Motion passes unanimously (Absent: Bryant and
Nolan).
9. Three Rivers Park District — Amended Conditional Use Permit for an addition to a
structure at the Near Wilderness Site — South of County Road 24, West of Homestead
Trail. Public Hearing
Finke stated that the applicant is in the process of updating their plans and have not yet
resubmitted. He stated that staff recommends tabling the application with no specific date.
In this way, if Three Rivers needs an extra month, the Commission won't have to keep
tabling it.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Dickerson to table the Public Hearing. Motion passes
unanimously (Absent: Bryant and Nolan).
Open Space Task Force update
Reid stated that Finke had distributed the Task Force's vision and principals document that she
had mentioned last month. She stated that the Task Force had discussed an open space
and/or natural resource overlay district at their previous meeting.
Reid stated there was also discussion about open space development. There was discussion
regarding using 50% open space as a baseline. In order to make up for the loss in price on
a smaller lot, density bonuses could be enacted. For instance, on a 12 acre lot that would
normally have two sites, the developer could be allowed three 2-acre sites and 6
permanently preserved acres of open space.
She stated that the group also talked about a review process that would require developers would
to meet with staff to decide how to plan Open Spaces within the development.
Reid stated that CR Planning will be creating a draft Open Space Plan before their next meeting
in April so that the Task Force can make changes and recommend the plan to the
Comprehensive Plan Advisory Panel.
10. Adjourn:
Motion by Reid, seconded by Dickerson to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. Motion passes unanimously.
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