Loading...
HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-14-2006City of Medina Planning Commission Minutes — March 14, 2006 PRESENT: Marilyn Fortin, Sharon Johnson, Steve Jacobson, Tom Crosby, Mary Verbick, Jeff Pederson and Doug Dickerson. Also present: City Administrator - Chad Adams, Planning Consultant — Sarah Schield, Administrative Assistant — Janet Olson and Council Representative Elizabeth Weir. 1. Call to Order: Chair Tom Crosby called the meeting to order at 7:OOPM. 2. Public Comments: There were no comments from the public. Tom Crosby asked if the need remained for such detailed minutes since the meetings are now being recorded and asked what the retention schedule for keeping the recordings was. City Administrator Chad Adams stated the City Council prefers the written minutes that can show the dialog and the chain of discussion when they go back to review them, often years later. Chad Adams also added that City Staff has discussed retaining the recordings for a year but there has not been a council decision on the length of retention. Liz Weir provided a report on behalf of the City Council and provided a recap of the last City Council meeting. 3. Approval of Minutes from 2/14/2006 Planning Commission: MOTION/SECOND (Verbick/Dickerson) to approve the minutes from the February 14, 2006 Planning Commission as corrected. MOTION PASSES BY UNANIMOUS VOTE 4. Planner's Report: The Planner's Report was provided in written form due to the absence of City Planner at tonight's meeting. Tom Crosby gave a brief overview of what was in the packet. Chad Adams, City Administrator showed the location of where the concept plan that Cudd Builders will be submitting. The lot is north of 55. Chad Adams also reviewed the Comprehensive Plan process stating that RFP's will be going out to prepare and implement a citizen survey to occur in April or May. The survey will be prepared to gain citizen input by an outside party to ensure the questions are nonbiased. Chad Adams also reported that a part of the Comp Plan process will involve open forums for community members starting in May and will be held each month through November 2006. 5. Open Space Planning: Tom Crosby introduced Open Space Planning as a relatively new concept that determines ways to save and enhance the environment. Tom Crosby stated for him the greatest issue is will the final result be optional or obligatory for landowners and developers. March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 1 Liz Weir reported that at the March 6 City Council Meeting decided to appoint an Open Space Task Force comprised of 1 City Council Member, 2 Planning Commissioners, 2 Park Commissioners, 3 Citizen Stakeholders, 1 staff and 1 consultant. Sharon Johnson asked how common open space planning was. Tom Crosby responded that 30 years ago the community of Jonathon Minnesota developed their entire community around the Open Space concept. Mary Verbick stated that the design features such as Minneapolis uses incorporates open space planning that allows for many parks. Tom Crosby stated that with the many wetlands in Medina the need for open space planning exists. Liz Weir stated that the planning process will take a year. There are many models around us in the area cities, such as Independence who is using a cooperative approach. Liz Weir added that developers like the idea as it adds value, Wild Meadows is a good example of how incorporating open space into a development has added value. Liz Weir stated that she would recommend that Steve Jacobson and Sharon Johnson be appointed to represent the Planning Commission on the Open Space Task Force. MOTION: (Fortin/Verbick) to appoint Steve Jacobson and Sharon Johnson to the Open Space Task Force. MOTION CARRIES BY UNANIMOUS VOTE Doug Dickerson asked what the budget was for the Open Space Planning. Liz Weir will check into the budget amount and get back to Doug Dickerson. Mary Verbick stated that now is a good time to do open space planning as we are currently under development pressure and can not do the planning after the fact of development. 6. Moratorium Discussion of Ordinance Amendment to Subdivision Requirements and Zoning Ordinance. Tom Crosby reported that since the last meeting the Moratorium Committee Report has changed and should be modified to remove the tree ordinance. Tom Crosby continued by stated that there are two letters to be included with the report that state their opinions that the lot width should be 250 ft. and not 300 ft. as recommended by the committee. The letter from Thomas Crosby stated that the 300 ft. lot width is too restrictive to property owners and letter March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 2 from David Wessin stated the opinion that the 300 ft. lot width is an unfair burden on the residents. Sarah Schield stated that the Planning Commission will need to make a recommendation to the City Council tonight. Sarah Schield also stated that she feels that the lot width and lot frontage needs to be clarified as to what is being recommended. Tom Crosby stated that frontage is where the lot meets the road and width is defined in the ordinance. Tom Crosby suggested speaking with Rose Lorsung for clarification. Steve Jacobson asked what the plan is for the tree ordinance as with the possibility of future development will there be protection for the trees. Tom Crosby stated that there is no deadline for the tree ordinance but is on the fast track of "to do list" Liz Weir stated that it may be better to have a professional assist with the ordinance and implement with open space planning. Steve Jacobson asked what if a developer comes in before a tree ordinance is in place. Liz Weir answered that this is a risk, but is important to have a first class ordinance then one that is put together being rushed. Tom Crosby reported that during discussion in Moratorium Committee meetings Jim Dillman, Public Works Director stated that trees equate to value and developers want to maintain value of projects and this has never been an issue in the past. Steve Jacobson stated that in Plymouth the removal of excess trees has been an issue and would like to see something in place when the moratorium expires. Public Hearing was opened at 7:45PM Tim Druk, 190 Bergamot Drive stated that he thinks that 300 ft. lot width is quite excessive and that 250 ft. meets the needs of the residents. Mark Metzger, 4065 Shorewood Trail stated that 300 ft. is quite excessive. He agrees with the set backs being proposed but wonders why the additional 50 ft. were added. March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 3 Tom Crosby stated that many communities were looked at during the process of coming up with the 300 ft. lot width. Tom Crosby added that Liz Weir measured the width of many houses and the 50 ft. setback and 300 ft. lot width is currently the norm in Medina Dan Johnson, 2505 Willow Drive stated that he lives on property that is affected by the lot width and feels that 300 ft. lot width is good. If need be a person could ask for a variance. And 300 ft. lot width would preserve rural character. Dan Johnson also added that the tree ordinance is important and do not leave the trees unprotected. Susan Sween, 2112 Holy Name Drive stated that she is a long term resident and so is her family. She feels that as residents they are being picked on as there are so many new ordinances and regulations. Susan continued stating that 300 ft. lot width is an exorbitant amount. Bill Cavanaugh, local property owner stated that he has built a lot of houses and does not understand why someone would need that much land. Tom Crosby showed the area that is included in the moratorium and explained that the area in the moratorium is zoned Rural Residential. MOTION (Verbick/ Dickerson) to accept the moratorium report with the deletion of the tree ordinance and to include the two letters regarding lot width. MOTION CARRIES BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Marilyn Fortin suggested polling each Planning Commissioner to get their individual opinion on uniform 50 ft. setback, lot width, and the proposed ordinance. Uniform 50 ft. set back: Marilyn Fortin agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back Doug Dickerson agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back Sharon Johnson agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back Steve Jacobson agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back Mary Verbick agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back Jeff Pederson agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back. Tom Crosby agrees with the uniform 50 ft. set back. 300 ft. Lot Width: Marilyn Fortin stated that her opinion remains that 250 ft. should be the lot width. Doug Dickerson stated that he was in favor of 300 ft. lot width especially because of animals but when you add the wetlands into play he feels the lot width should be 250 ft. March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 4 Sharon Johnson stated that if 300 ft. is the current standard as that is what most houses are being built on and if this is part of the current housing movement then the 300 ft. lot width is not too restrictive. Jeff Pederson stated that he is in favor of 250 ft. because the 300 ft. set back is too restrictive and with the wetland ordinance pending we do not know what the buffer zones will be. Mary Verbick stated that she is in favor of 300 ft. based on the extensive work that has been done by the Moratorium Committee and added that the 300 ft. would maintain rural character. Steve Jacobson stated that the sum of the parts exceeds the value of the whole and does not understand that developers cannot see that fewer lots make them more valuable. It is not restrictive and actually enhances the value. Because of this there isn't any hardship and the 300ft. lot width would help maintain rural character. Tom Crosby stated that he is in favor of 250 ft. based on the reasons previously stated. Proposed Ordinance: Doug Dickerson wondered how feed lots would be defined. Liz Weir stated that she will look into the definition. Tom Crosby added the Moratorium Committee addressed the review and updating of the definition of Agriculture in city regulations. Steve Jacobson stated that he is of the opinion that the tree ordinance should be adopted as soon as possible. Liz Weir said that a lot of discussion has occurred on how it is best to measure the removal of the trees. Mary Verbick stated that it is important to be proactive and not reactive in dealing with the tree ordinance. Tom Crosby stated that he does believe trees are worth saving, but some trees may not be worth saving which is why the trees will need to be classified. Dan Johnson, 2505 Willow asked what the recusal policy is for Planning Commission and City Council members. March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 5 Tom Crosby stated that there is a requirement of disclosure for a conflict of interest. He stated that all Planning Commission members currently are property owners. Steve Jacobson questioned building height and what if someone was to build on high elevation. Tom Crosby stated that the Planning Commission has recently reviewed building heights. Tom Crosby added that the city has been asked to develop a steep slope ordinance. Dan Johnson, 2505 Willow Drive stated this is the last chance to put a stop to excessive subdivision and urges the Planning Commission to acknowledge the time spent by the Moratorium Committee by approving what they have submitted and by doing so would be a way to empower citizen to be involved and their time spent is heard by City committees. Public Hearing closed at 8:30PM MOTION (Verbick/Fortin) to recommend approval of the amended Moratorium Report to the City Council with the following additions: the Plan Commission has 4 members in favor of the 250 ft. lot width and 3 members in favor of the 300 ft. lot width, add as well as terms related to agriculture such as feed lots in definitions, and add the Planning Commission believes the tree ordinance is very important and should be adopted promptly. MOTION PASSES BY UNANIMOUS VOTE Tom Crosby called for a short break at 8:34 PM The meeting reconvened at 8:50. Mary Verbick left the meeting Tom Crosby stated that Dick Picard undertook the project of creating by-laws for the Planning Commission and created a draft. Liz Weir reviewed the draft and made some changes that she felt would more likely be accepted by the City Council. Sarah Schield stated that if this is a guideline then how will the guidelines be enforced. Tom Crosby stated that he is ok without guidelines as we are only a recommending body and are appointed by the City Council. March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 6 Liz Weir stated that she appreciates the initiative that Dick Picard took to get the by-laws started and also feels where there is structure there is efficiency and thinks the by-laws are a helpful document. Marilyn Fortin suggested that we should use the term guidelines instead of by-laws. General discussion occurred on what would constitute an absence and how many absences are too many. Tom Crosby stated that he will work on the wording for this item. Doug Dickerson stated that it is important to receive packets on Friday evening. Steve Jacobson wondered if the packets could be received earlier. Sarah Schield answered that it is not possible to get the packets earlier as often there are items included that are a result of a City Council meeting that meets the Tuesday before the Planning Commission meeting. Tom Crosby stated that if there is a large agenda that it might be best to schedule an extra meeting instead of meeting late into the night. Doug Dickerson stated that this year there were 7 candidates for the Planning Commission. Is it possible they could come before the Planning Commission before being appointed? Liz Weir responded that the candidates were interviewed and Mary Verbick was a part of the interview process. Candidates are appointed based on diversity, geography and experience. Jeff Pederson stated that he thought that the interview process was very helpful. Sharon Johnson stated that she would like a copy of the Orientation Manual and feels it is important to be sure that what is in the by-laws are not in the manual. Liz Weir reported that Chad Adams is working on the manual and it is near completion. Tom Crosby offered to take comments from tonight's meeting and incorporate them into version 2 and bring it back to the April Planning Commission. General consensus was to have Tom Crosby bring back a version to the April Planning Commission meeting. March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 7 Doug Dickerson wondered why the security lights are on all the time at the Community Building and asked if the Community Building should follow the same standards as others. Doug Dickerson stated that a silt fence that the City put up a couple years ago along Pioneer Trail is still up and wants it removed. Sarah Schield stated that she will talk to staff about the fence. MOTION (Fortin/Dickerson) to Adjourn. MOTION PASSES BY UNANIMOUS VOTE. Meeting Adjourned at 9:34 PM Janet Olson Date March 14, 2006 Planning Commission Minutes 8