3.2 PC MIN 12-10-2013 DRAFT ElkMeeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
River Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Members Present: Chair Anderson, Commissioners Eric Johnson, Mike Keller, Mike
Keefe
Members Absent: Commissioners Mark Konietzko,Jeremy Johnson, Chad Westberg
Staff Present: Deputy Director, CODD Jeremy Barnhart;Planning Intern Zach
Carlton and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner
Also Present: Councilmember Barb Burandt
I. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning
Commission was called to order at 6:36 p.m. by Chair Anderson.
2. Consider 12/10/13 Planning Commission Agenda
Moved by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mike
Keller to approve the December 10,2013 Planning Commission agenda with
the following change:
- Item 3.1—November 12,2013 Minutes—Moved to January 14,2014
Agenda
Motion carried 4-0.
4.1 Request by Phoenix Enterprises for a Conditional Use Permit to
Amend Hillside CrossinglI/Northbound Crossing PUD Agreement
Regarding Signage (Culver's Restaurant), Case No. 13- 14— Public
Hearing
The staff report was presented by Zack Carlton. Staff recommended approval of the
request with the three conditions in the staff report.
Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. There being no one to speak to this
issue, Chair Anderson closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Eric Johnson stated he felt the sign change was a good idea and
would be similar to McDonald's and Burger King's signage.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 2
December 10,2013
Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mike
Keefe to recommend approval of the request by Phoenix Enterprises for a
Conditional Use Permit to amend the Hillside Crossing II/Northbound
Crossing PUD Agreement to allow a 25 ft. tall freestanding sign,with the
following conditions:
1. The Conditional Use Permit is not a building permit and the applicant
must apply for and receive a sign permit before construction can begin.
2. Replace plant materials to comply with the landscape plan by July 31,
2014.
3. Repair parking lot, to include filling potholes and restriping the parking
stalls as needed by July 31, 2014.
Motion carried 4-0.
4.2 Request by Plaisted Companies for a Conditional Use Permit for
Mineral Excavation to mine approximately 120 acres, Case No. 13-12
— Public Hearing
The staff report was presented by Jeremy Barnhart. He noted that the Technical
Evaluation Panel has reviewed the request and that the wetland mitigation plan is
essentially the same plan that was approved in 2004. He stated that the applicant is
still working on resolving transportation issues. Staff recommended approval of the
WCA Notice of Decision and the Conditional Use Permit with the conditions listed
in the staff report.
Discussion followed regarding Condition #3. Mr. Barnhart suggested a modification
to this condition to allow for modification of the haul route,based on the Highway
169 access location.
Chair Anderson asked if staff felt the setback requirements in Condition #7 would
be adequate. Mr. Barnhart explained how the setbacks will mitigate impacts on
neighboring residents, and also,where it would not make sense to have setbacks
where mining occurs over multiple parcels.
Chair Anderson opened the public hearing.
Todd Plaisted, 15781 Iridium, Ramsey,MN—applicant, asked that he would also ask
that washing also be allowed in the future. Mr. Barnhart stated that the Conditional
Use Permit Agreement addresses these issues. He noted that the previous J &B
Mining application for this site did not request washing. He stated that since some
mining may occur below the water table, they would want to ensure, through the
CUP Agreement, that no contamination from oils,runoff, etc. would occur.
Rick Haugland,property owner to the south of the ERX site—asked for clarification
on where the haul route would be located. Mr. Plaisted explained the location and
stated that they would be purchasing properties to allow the access to happen.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 3
December 10,2013
There being no further public comment, Chair Anderson closed the public hearing.
Chair Anderson asked if the Commission had any concerns to add the washing
operation to the Conditional Use Permit request, and if they were comfortable with
staff working out the details with the city's environmental consultant. Commissioner
Eric Johnson stated he would be comfortable with staff working with the consultant.
Commissioner Mike Keefe asked who was responsible for constructing the road
access improvements. Mr. Barnhart stated that the applicant and benefitting entities
will be responsible for installing the haul road and acceleration lane improvements.
Motion by Commissioner Mike Keller and seconded by Commissioner Eric
Johnson to recommend approval of the request by Plaisted Companies for a
Conditional Use Permit for mineral excavation and the WCA Notice of
Decision,with the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall execute a Conditional Use Permit Agreement
outlining the terms and conditions of approval of the mining operations.
2. A mineral extraction license shall be obtained annually.
3. The haul route shall be improved to a compacted gravel surface
acceptable to the city engineer. The haul route may be modified based on
the Highway 169 access location.
4. Safety improvements as required by MnDOT shall be completed at 215th
prior to hauling. No hauling via 217th or 219th is permitted.
5. A letter of credit in the amount of$155,318 shall be provided to ensure
wetland mitigation is completed for the 155,318 sq. ft. of impacted
wetlands.
6. Approval of this Conditional Use Permit shall expire if activity has not
commenced within 2 years of the date of approval, or if the uses ceases for
a period of 6 months or longer. Failure to obtain an annual license will be
evidence of cessation of use.
7. Setbacks of 25 feet from north and south property lines, and 50 feet from
east and west property line shall be maintained. No mining activity shall
be permitted within without staff approval.
8. Buffering and or screening shall be installed when directed by the City.
Motion carried 4-0.
4.3 Request by BWB Holdings, LLC/ERX Properties, LLC for Preliminary
Plat Approval (continued to January 14, 2014 meeting)
Mr. Barnhart explained that this item was not ready for review and will be presented
at the January 14`h meeting.
Chair Anderson opened the public hearing. No comments were received from the
audience.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 4
December 10,2013
Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mike
Keller to continue the request by BWB Holdings LLC and ERX Properties,
LLC to the January 14,2014 Planning Commission meeting. Motion carried
4-0.
4.4 Request by Marilyn VanPatten for Preliminary Plat approval (Heritage
Maples), Case No. P 13-03 — Public Hearing
4.5 Request by Marilyn VanPatten for Conditional Use Permit (Heritage
Maples), Case No. CU I3-I 1 — Public Hearing
The staff report was presented by Zack Carlton. Staff recommended approval of the
preliminary plat and conditional use permit with the conditions listed in the report.
Chair Anderson asked why the plan shows a temporary cul-de-sac on the frontage
road. Mr. Carlton explained that a connection cannot be made until future
development of the adjoining property occurs and it is not owned by the applicant.
Chair Anderson opened the public hearing.
Ms. VanPatten, applicant- stated she was present to answer questions.
Commissioner Eric Johnson asked if the applicant was in agreement with the
conditions recommended by staff.
Ms. VanPatten stated that the engineer advised they will have to be creative in order
to locate the retaining wall on the property and that the slope of the pond may need
to be increased. She explained the difficulty in providing a landscape plan for the
entire site,when only a portion of the site was being developed at this time. She
noted that they will work with staff on an overall landscaping plan. Mr. Carlton
explained that the landscaping does not need to be installed on the entire site now.
Mr. Barnhart noted that having a complete plan helps applicants know what to
expect when the remainder of the site is developed.
Discussion followed regarding the landscape plan. It was noted that the landscape
plan needs to be modified to work with the layout of the patio.
Chair Anderson stated he supported the plan, as long as the final plans show the
future layout.
Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mike
Keller to recommend approval of the preliminary plat request by Marilyn
VanPatten for Heritage Maples, Case No. P 13-03 with the following
conditions:
1.Access restriction shall be placed along Highway 10.
2. Development agreement shall be signed outlining costs and responsibilities
to the satisfaction of the City Attorney.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 5
December 10,2013
Motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Commissioner Eric Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Mike
Keefe to recommend approval of the request by Marilyn VanPatten for a
Conditional Use Permit for a senior housing development (Heritage Maples),
Case No. P 13-11,with the following conditions:
1. Submit, and receive approval from staff,both landscape and architectural
plans addressing staff comments below, regarding placement of the patio,
fence, and trees.
2. Submit, and receive approval from staff, a unified landscape plan for the
entire 10.4 acre parcel.
3. Submit a site plan showing the retaining wall near Yankton Street moved
out of the right-of-way, addressing staffs comments from letter dated
September 17,2013.
4. A PUD agreement shall be developed and signed by both parties prior to
issuance of a building permit.
Motion carried 4-0.
5. General Business—None
6.1 City Council Liaison Update
Councilmember Burandt encouraged the Planning Commission and public to attend
the Comprehensive Plan public meeting scheduled for December 18`"
Chair Anderson asked what action was taken by the City Council on the sign
ordinance amendment. Councilmember Burandt stated the following items were
included in approval of the ordinance amendment:
• 20 ft. maximum height for monument signs
• Wall signage limited to 15% of façade area
• Limit window signage to 50% of window area
• Further study where billboards could be allowed in future (i.e., discuss
removing principle use clause).
6.2 Comprehensive Plan Update
Mr. Barnhart stated that the Planning Commission will likely begin their review of
the draft Comprehensive Plan in February.
7. Adjournment
There being no further business, Commissioner Eric Johnson moved to adjourn
the meeting.
Planning Commission Minutes Page 6
December 10,2013
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Debbie Huebner.
Tina Allard
City Clerk
Dana Anderson, Chair
Planning Commission