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HomeMy Public PortalAbout11-27-2007, Comp Plan Special Mg - DRAFTMedina Planning Commission DRAFT November 27, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes CITY OF MEDINA PLANNING COMMISSION DRAFT Minutes of Special Meeting Tuesday, November 27, 2007 1. Call to Order: Chair Mary Verbick called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Present: Planning Commissioners Mary Verbick, Jeff Pederson, Doug Dickerson, Michele Litts, Charles Nolan and Robin Reid. Absent: None Also Present: Mayor Tom Crosby, Councilmember Elizabeth Weir, City Administrator Chad Adams, Planning Director Tim Benetti, Planning Consultant Jennifer Haskamp, Planning Consultant Andrew Gitzlaff, Assistant to Planning Dusty Finke. 2. Decennial update of the Medina Comprehensive Plan. Public Hearing Verbick welcomed everyone to the Open House. She stated that the Planning Commission is an appointed body who makes recommendation to the City Council. The Commission does not make binding decisions. Verbick reviewed the process that the DRAFT Comprehensive Plan had gone through to this point, including two years of Open Houses, and a year of work by the Advisory Panel. Verbick described the process that the Commission will go through during this Public Hearing. Speakers will be given two minutes so that everyone gets an opportunity to speak. Verbick asked everyone to be concise and polite with each other. The public comment from this evening will be entered officially into the record at the Public Hearing on December 11, 2007. Verbick asked Haskamp to summarize the DRAFT Comprehensive Plan. Haskamp began by acknowledging the people who have helped create the DRAFT Plan, including the Advisory Panel members, the Planning Commission, City staff and consultants. Haskamp especially thanked everyone who had attended and provided feedback at any of the many Open Houses throughout the process. She stated that she would provide a brief summary of the following items: Future Land Use, Infrastructure, Staging & Growth, and Next Steps. Haskamp stated that the process has been fairly extensive. In addition to the series of Open Houses Verbick had mentioned, a community survey was conducted seeking feedback from all residents and business owners. Te 2000-2020 Comp Plan was reviewed to see what information could be held over, what new information was needed, and how the Plan could move forward. The Advisory Panel met throughout 2007. Haskamp stated a lot of effort was spent on establishing a strong vision, along with goals and strategies. These were used as a guide and a base for the Advisory Panel through the formation of the Plan. Chief among these goals was maintaining rural character and, in order 1 Medina Planning Commission DRAFT November 27, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes to do so, concentrating development along the Highway 55 corridor. Diversity of housing and sustainability were also major goals. Although regional interests were considered, there was a strong concentration on what is best for the community. Haskamp said the feedback from the Citizen/Business surveys and various Open Houses, as well as concentrating on the goals and strategies, helped the Advisory Panel prepare the DRAFT Comprehensive Plan (available on the City's website www.ci.medina.mn.us) She stated that it is important to note that the Advisory Panel didn't remake the wheel. The draft Comp Plan is not a new document, but rather an update of the Plan that the City uses today. Haskamp described the existing land use map. She said this acts a baseline for continuing forward with the establishment of Land Use and Growth Goals. The overarching goal was to maintain the rural character of the City, while accommodating a certain amount of growth. Haskamp described the Future Land Use Plan (Guide Plan). She described how the Plan concentrates development along Highway 55 while maintaining the rural heart of the City. She stated that the uses are meant to be very general. Zoning ordinances will be updated to lay out more specific regulations and standards, but these are not part of the Comp Plan. She called attention to the large areas within the new mixed -use designation. These areas are mostly large parcels which allow flexibility for development to transition from commercial to residential in relation to the surrounding land uses and allow for market flexibility as well. Haskamp described the infrastructure plans. She noted that they were prepared by the City Engineer. Haskamp noted that with current wells and storage, the City is very limited in possible growth. Haskamp noted how the transportation plan shows the main spine along Highway 55 and the collectors from there. There was much discussion about keeping the north/south roads local to cut out truck traffic, but staff cautioned there may be economic considerations for these decisions. The future Highway 55 Concept may include some differences from that suggested by the "Highway 55 Coalition." Haskamp stated that the Staging and Growth Plan largely arises because of the considerations and implications from the infrastructure plans. The goal of the Advisory Panel was to allow flexibility. The plan shows the City's intent of general east to west development along the Highway 55 corridor, but does allow flexibility between the dashed 5-year boundaries. The dashed lines are meant to show that a proposed development may be entertained before its five-year period, assuming it can be achieved with the current infrastructure, can be done efficiently, and/or meets the objectives of the City. The goal is to prevent "leap -frogging." Haskamp briefly described the next steps for the Comp Plan. Hopefully at the December 11 Planning Commission meeting there will be a recommendation with perhaps a number of suggested changes. The City Council will consider this recommendation, possibly make some changes and approve of a draft. The draft plan is then sent to neighboring jurisdictions (for up to six months) for review. The Met Council will then review, and may suggest some changes. The City Council will finally consider the suggestions and adopt an ultimate plan. Haskamp noted that following adoption of the updated Comprehensive Plan, the City's official controls must then be updated, including zoning, subdivision, and perhaps some other 2 Medina Planning Commission DRAFT November 27, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes regulations. A number of items in the Implementation Plan will also need to be worked on after the Plan is adopted. Verbick stated that the Commission will not be making a recommendation this evening. The goal of this evening is to take public comment and feedback on the draft plan. At 7:28 p.m., the Commission began inviting comment which will be entered into the public record at the Public Hearing. Dennis Hedtke (Hedtke, Inc., 3522 Sioux Drive) stated he wished to speak about the Highway 55 Coalition's plans to close intersections along Highway 55. He had received 29 signatures on a petition in day from business owners who believe that closing these intersections would hurt their businesses. Highway 55 should not be like Interstate 394, where all of the local businesses were put out of business because people drive right past them. Paul Chamberlain (attorney for Richard Burke, 3962 Tomahawk Trail) wished to talk about the proposal for mixed use at the water tower property. The definition of mixed use says there must be a compatible use in the area. Residential, up to seven units per acre, is not compatible with the rural residential or industrial uses in the area. Neither seems to be compatible. Residential leads to an increase in traffic. He stated that his client would prefer the property as rural residential, but if this would not be possible, commercial or light industrial make more sense. Suzie Sween (2112 Holy Name Drive) inquired about the timeframe following the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan and if there would be a moratorium to contend with. She asked how potential development would be treated in the interim, especially if the updated plan changes a current land use. Tom Goodrum (Schoell Madsen, representing Mike Leuer, owner of PID #04-118-23-43-0003) wished to discuss the designation for the water tower site. He stated there seemed to be support from the Council earlier in the year for a mix of residential and business park on the property. He stated that they were concerned with the change of MUSA to 2016. They have heard that light industrial would be preferable to neighbors, and they would accept that designation. He stated that the flexible staging plan allows properties to develop one time period early, and was curious about those two out. S. Todd Rapp (Attorney representing Gary Kirt and Peter Ryskamp, owner of 4550 Pioneer Trail) stated that his client's property at the intersection of Pioneer Trail and Highway 55 is shown as permanent rural in the draft. He stated that this permanent rural designation may have been based upon an assumption that development in Corcoran would not occur in this area. However, Corcoran's plans do show a business park moving forward. This work includes many upgrades in infrastructure that will occur, especially with the roadways around the Highway 55/Pioneer Trail intersection. He stated that because of the development across Highway 55 and the upgrades in infrastructure that this will bring, his clients request that this parcel be removed from the permanent rural designation and be placed within a future MUSA. 3 Medina Planning Commission DRAFT November 27, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes Jay Ecktenkamp (75 Navajo Road East) said he supported the open spaces and rural character the Advisory Panel had concentrated on. However, there are logical transitions where residential development makes sense. The DRAFT FLU map calls for two lots within the subdivision to have urban services, and two across the road to not have access. This is not fair and is bad planning. The Advisory Panel named increased density in Uptown Hamel area as one of its main goals. Their property is extremely close to Uptown Hamel; they could have walked to the meeting this evening. He stated that Planning staff has been good in listening, but he is disappointed that nothing has changed on the Plan since 18 months ago. They are not asking for anything extra, but rather to treat two neighbors the same as their neighbors to the north. Jim Jurmu (25 Navajo Road East) stated that he was discussing the same issue as the previous speaker. They had come to many meetings and had entered a formal request to include their properties within the MUSA. They were curious if they would get feedback regarding their requests. He also noted that the outlot in which the road is located is under common ownership, so if sewer goes through there, all of the owners have an interest. Paul Robinson (Representing RGN Development, under contract with property at the Medina Golf and Country Club) supports the guiding of the County Club property as shown in the draft. Private recreation, with an allowance for residential development makes sense with the surroundings. The limited residential development they seek will help make sure that the Country Club is part of the community for years to come. Joe Cavanaugh (3220 Niagara Lane) stated that he supports the mixed use shown on the draft that would allow commercial near Highway 55 and residential further to the north. However, MnDOT has been planning on a stop light at the intersection of Highway 55 and Tamarack for years, and the Highway 55 Concept in the draft calls for a potential at -grade access, with no signal. He stated he has consistently opposed removing this stop light, and it would create enormous traffic concerns. He stated that his property has been in the MUSA since 2001, and now this dashed line that doesn't seem to mean anything cuts it off. The line should be placed back where it was before. Nancy Ritt (3421 Elm Creek Drive) stated that she was within the Elm Creek neighborhood, which are existing single family homes. The draft identifies this area as medium density residential and they believe it should be updated to show low density. On another issue, Ritt stated the neighbors had collected 100 signatures opposing mixed use at 500 Hamel Road, and the neighborhood supports the Medium Density residential, which is currently shown on the draft. Bob Raskob (owner of Medina Entertainment Center, 500 Highway 55) stated that he owns a farm along the Plymouth border (PIDs 24-118-23-11-0004 and 13-118-23-44-0005). He stated that development should occur in the areas where it is possible. Plymouth's population is 80,000 and Medina is only 5,000, in the same amount of area. He said Medina is overly cautious about development. People shouldn't have to drive to Rockford or Buffalo to work in Minneapolis when there are good opportunities for residential development here. Susan Seeland (470 Peavey, Wayzata) stated that she owns a farm near Homestead Trail (PID 28-118-23-21-0003) and had five points. 1) the wetlands on their property are grossly 4 Medina Planning Commission DRAFT November 27, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes exaggerated by Hennepin County wetlands data shown on map 3-1; 2) The MLCCS identifies the farm as a moderate to high quality natural area (prairie). She stated that the fields have been plowed in anticipation of crops next year and there is no longer a prairie; 3) The transportation plan in 2000 shows a future road through the property which is no longer on this plan and she wished to know why this was removed when there are easements to allow it; 4) In the transportation plan Tamarack is a local street while Homestead is a major collector. This makes no sense when the sharp corner on Homestead is compared to the straight and relatively flat Tamarack Drive and 5) There are long stretches of future trails shown through the middle of her property. While trails are important to connect with Baker Park and for children safety with the school in the area, they make no sense in the area shown on her property and unfairly burden them as the owner. Bruce Workman (2212 Chippewa) stated that he was comfortable with the plan for one piece of property and not comfortable for another parcel. He stated that the parcels are 1200 feet apart and yet this makes a difference of 10 years in staging. The infrastructure has been there since 1997, including the watermain, street improvements, and a stop light at Highway 55. Pushing off the second parcel 15 years is unfair. He stated that he was involved in the Comp Plan in 1990 and 2000 and that he understands the importance of staging and how the flexible plan may help. Nonetheless, there were many excuses in 1990 for no development north of Highway 55 which have been since taken care of. It is unfair to develop out by Loretto or to give sewer and water to Corcoran instead of allowing development in places where the infrastructure is already available. He stated that everyone in the area seems willing to move forward. Abdish Bhvasar (2105 Chestnut) stated that some of the transportation maps don't designate between public and private roads correctly, particularly on Chestnut Road. He said he is in favor of trails and looks forward to using them when they are established. Trails are shown on two sides of their property. He wished to know what considerations the Commission believed should be given to property owners who have trails running through their property. Nancy and Seth Hoyt (1382 Tamarack) stated that they would request that the right-of-way north of where Tamarack Drive becomes Blackfoot Trail be vacated. This right-of-way is located within a marsh, and is linked with the north/south throughway, which the City dealt with years ago. Jerry Jubert (2440 Saint Albans Street, Roseville) stated his family owns property around the Tamarack/Highway 55 intersection (PID 02-118-23-43-0002). He said they were also concerned about losing their access if the stop light is not planned for the intersection. Kent Williams (1632 Homestead Trail) stated he supports the transportation draft not extending Deerhill Road from Willow to Homestead in the future. Development in Orono has already greatly increased traffic, and allowing Deerhill through would do so even more. Jeff Pederson (710 Shawnee Woods Road) stated the Highway 55 Coalition wishes for a hybrid expressway corning from Plymouth. He stated that it makes a lot more sense to build a four lane highway from Medina to Buffalo before there is talk about upgrading and building 5 Medina Planning Commission DRAFT November 27, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes overpasses back towards Plymouth. The stop light at Clydesdale that was just put in with TIF money would be wasted. Bill Cavanaugh (2015 N. Aquila Ave. Golden Valley) stated he wished for an extension of sewer and water just past Polaris along Mohawk. This would allow utilization of property that already has sewer running right up to the property line. Michael Botnan (2522 Pioneer Trail) stated he was concerned with the property at Willow/Highway 55. It is currently farm country and he couldn't see residential wanting to come in. He stated that commercial or light industrial would be better. There are wetlands and natural creeks that would be less affected by commercial development. He stated that to them, light industrial would be fine, but a lot of houses just doesn't make any sense. Michael Fine (550 Navajo Road) stated that there had been much discussion about that Holacek property while the Advisory Panel was doing their work. There was a discussion about putting something in the Plan about the vision for this property. It was 45 units back in 2000, and there was discussion about 100 this summer Yet, if you multiply out the higher range that could be allowed, it is over 400 units. He stated that if an illustration is now not going to be included in the plan, he wished to know why. Tom Crosby suggested that answers to some of the questions asked earlier would be possible to give at this time, especially with regards to timing. Chad Adams (City Administrator) reviewed the timeline. The public hearing will be continued at the December 11 meeting, where the Commission may make a recommendation. On January 15, the City Council will begin review. Depending on the number of meetings they take, the six-month neighboring jurisdiction review would then begin. The Plan will likely be submitted to the Met Council early, and hopefully be acted on quickly. While the City could technically wait that entire time, before working on official controls, they will likely begin updating ordinances by February/March. Perhaps a moratorium would be implemented earlier, before the Met Council is completed with the review. Statute allows for up to a year moratorium. The City could start this clock early, and perhaps end it early in certain areas of the City. Adams stated that staff will discuss how best to give feedback on questions raised this evening. They could be made part of a report given to the Commission for the December 11 meeting. Crosby suggested that the questions from this evening be briefly summarized by staff and answers could then be placed on the website. Verbick thanked everyone for coming and for their feedback. She noted that the meeting will be continued on December 11. The Commission very much appreciates the feedback. 3. Adjourn: Motion by Dickerson, seconded by Pederson to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Motion carries unanimously. 6