HomeMy Public PortalAbout04-11-2006City of Medina Planning Commission Minutes — April 11, 2006
PRESENT: Marilyn Fortin, Sharon Johnson, Steve Jacobson, Tom Crosby, Mary
Verbick, Jeff Pederson and Doug Dickerson. Also present: City Planner, Rose
Lorsung — 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.
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 3/14/2006 Planning Commission:
MOTION/SECOND (Fortin/Verbick to approve the minutes from the March 14,
2006 Planning Commission as corrected. MOTION PASSES BY
UNANIMOUS VOTE
4. Planner's Report: Rose Lorsung stated that the City Council approved going
out for RFP for Wetland Assessment, Function and Analysis. The
assessment will be done in the area of the city that is not in the Minnehaha
Creek Watershed. The next Planning Commission agenda will include
Adam's Pest Control, the sign ordinance and items as a result from the
moratorium, such as the tree preservation ordinance.
5. Evanson Conditional Use Permit 87-59 Amendment - Tabled
6. Charles Cudd Concept Plan, south of Bridgewater and east of Arrowhead:
Rose Lorsung stated the Charles Cudd Concept plan is for a multi -family
residential development located north of Hwy 55 and east of Arrowhead. The
plan will be south of Bridgewater at Lake Medina development. The site is in
the MUSA, is zoned Business Park and guided UCI. The site is 24.7 acres
with a density of 77 high end town homes. (3.81 units/acre) Rose Lorsung
stated the site has attractive features such as exceeding density
requirements, of 3 units/acres for sewered development, transportation
issues, layout is attractive with paths, water features and landscaped borders.
Lorsung continued that this plan would require rezoning and comprehensive
plan amendment. Lorsung continued that the city has stressed to developers
that at this time Comprehensive Plan amendments are discouraged as the
city is beginning its comprehensive planning process.
Richard Cavanaugh 205 Berry Bay, Wayzata (property owner) stated that he
has owned and farmed the land for a long time and is now interested in
selling the property to reap the benefits of his hard work.
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Tom Crosby asked about the road with the cul-de-sac wondering who put in
the road.
Richard Cavanaugh stated that State of Minnesota put in the road when it
closed access to Highway 55
Rick Denman representing Charles Cudd Company stated that Charles Cudd
Company is excited about this project and happy with the success of
Bridgewater. The proposed project is being motivated by the fact that the
property owner is willing to sell. Although the property is zoned business park
there is no market for that in Medina and this project will be a nice buffer from
commercial to residential. There will be three units per acre and the homes
will back up to water or trees. He continued that the property owner is not
getting any younger and it is logical to start the comprehensive plan now and
tie into the formal process.
Tom Crosby asked what the price point would be at the present time.
Rick Denman stated the three unit building would be $500,000 and the double
unit would be $600,000.
Steve Jacobson asked how many times the property owner was unable to get
the crops in due to water in the fields. Richard Cavanaugh responded that
every year he was able to get the crops in.
Jeff Pederson stated that he owns adjacent property to this plan. General
consensus of the Planning Commission is there is not a conflict of interest at
this time as at this meeting it is a concept plan and no action will be taken.
Joe Cavanaugh 275 Lakeview stated when this land was put into Business
Park they were told it could be changed at any time. If this property were to
be developed business park the residential divisions, such as Bridgewater
and Foxberry would be upset. Joe Cavanaugh continued by stating that the
city can not hold everything back during the comprehensive plan process.
The family chose Charles Cudd Company for this project because of the
strong history with the City.
Doug Dunlay 4292 Arrowhead stated that he is concerned with the 100 new
homes in Bridgewater and this addition. The increase in traffic will need to be
studied.
Tom Crosby stated that he is not against and not for this project but believes
the city needs to look at existing conditions and see how this fits into the
bigger picture. Tom Crosby continued by stating that he would be more
comfortable in approving this project in conjunction with the planning process
to determine if this is the best use of the property.
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Doug Dickerson asked if Cavanaugh or Charles Cudd Company has shared
this plan with the property owners to the north.
Charles Cudd stated that if he were to be given even a yellow light he would
contact the residents to the north.
Doug Dickerson stated that he had spoken with two owners to the north. The
residents had came to Medina for the rural character, and that they enjoy
hunting geese on their land. The residents stated that they think it should all
be zoned similarly in the area, and that they might move if the rural character
is not maintained.
Mary Verbick asked what the intent with this type of review is. If it is the intent
to not do any comp plan amendments it is important to be consistent. The
plan looks good but not the timing with the comprehensive planning process.
Steve Jacobson asked if the wetlands are mitigated at a 2:1 ratio. Charles
Cudd responded they were.
Marilyn Fortin stated that other than timing the plan looks good and would be
a nice buffer from commercial.
Jeff Pederson stated that Charles Cudd is a great developer but the city is at
bad time with the comprehensive planning process. He added that zoning the
property Business Park at the time was a good idea because there was
limited water and sewer capacity.
Charles Cudd stated business park development would be a much scarier
development and have a greater impact then what is being proposed.
Doug Dunlay stated that he moved to the area because of the rural character
and the benefits of hunting in the area. Adjacent property owners need to be
considered because this development was not present when they purchased
their property based on the rural character.
Tom Crosby summarized the discussion of the Planning Commission. He
noted a strong reluctance because of the timing, and a generally favorable
look on the concept itself. Also it appears to be consistent as a buffer
between commercial and residential.
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7. Planning Commission Operational Procedures:
Sharon Johnson questioned if the operational procedures would be a part of
the Planning Commission Handbook.
Marilyn Fortin stated she liked the organizational chart of the City and how it
reflects the citizens are who everyone works for. The suggestion was made
that the organizational chart should be included in the newsletter annually but
includes the names of the individuals who hold the position.
The Planning Commission member discussed some reporting relationships
within the organizational chart.
After general conversation it was agreed that Tom Crosby and Liz Weir would
go through the manual and guidelines and bring back to the May 9, 2006
Planning Commission meeting.
Planning Commission asked for an update on the Ordinance to-do list and
suggested the list be reviewed quarterly.
Motion/Second (Johnson/Verbick) to adjourn. MOTION PASSES BY
UNANIMOUS VOTE
Meeting Adjourned at 9:15 PM
Janet Olson Date
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