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04-08-2014 PC MIN IC 41k Meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission River Held at the Elk River City Hall Tuesday, April 8, 2014 Members Present: Chair Eric Johnson, Commissioners Jeremy Johnson,Mike Keller and Jill Larson-Vito Members Absent: Mark Konietzko Staff Present: Deputy Director CODD Jeremy Barnhart;Park Planner/Planner Chris Leeseberg;Planner Zach Carlton and Recording Secretary Debbie Huebner Also Present: City Attorney Peter Beck 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 6:30 p.m. by Chair Eric Johnson. 2. Pledge of Allegiance • The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Consider 4/8/14 Planning Commission Agenda Moved by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Mike Keller to approve the April 8, 2014 Planning Commission agenda. Motion carried 4-0. 4. 3/11/2013 Planning Commission Minutes Motion by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito to approve the March 11,2014 Planning Commission minutes. Motion carried 4-0. 5.1 Request by Juanita Glenn on Behalf of Wapiti Park for an Interim Use Permit to utilize existing building for store building, 18746 Troy St NW, Case No. CU 14-08 — Public Hearing continued from March I I, 2014 Chris Leeseberg presented the staff report. He stated that the septic system must meet the current guidelines for the city to approve an interim use peiniit. He stated that no documentation has been submitted and an extension has not been requested. III Planning Commission Minutes Page 2 April 8,2014 Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Johnson • closed the public hearing. Motion by Commissioner Mike Keller and seconded by Commissioner Jill Larson- Vito to recommend denial of the request by Wapiti Park for an Interim Use Permit. Mr. Beck stated that he received a letter from the applicant's attorney, stating that the applicant wished him to convey that they meant no disrespect to the Planning Commission but that they did not feel it was worth the resources to have him (their attorney) attend the hearing. The motion carried 4-0. 5.2 Request by Duffy Development Co. for Preliminary Plat approval — Coachman Ridge, Case No. P 14-02 5.3 Request by Duffy Development Co. for Site Plan Review— 52-unit apartment building (Coachman Ridge), Case No. SP 14-02 — Public Hearing The staff report was presented by Zack Carlton. Mr. Carlton reviewed the following items as referenced in the staff report: preliminary plat, site plan,parking,grading/stormwater, landscaping and building elevations. Staff recommended approval of the two requests with the conditions listed in the staff report. Chair Johnson asked if any changes, such as a round-about or 4-way stop, at the intersection • of the train station and entrance to Elk River Station were proposed. Mr. Carlton stated there were no current studies being done or proposed to be done. He noted that the access was originally approved for Elk River Station for commercial, and the residential use would generate less traffic. Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. John Duffy, Duffy Development - stated he was the owner of The Depot apartments in this area. Mr. Duffy discussed relocating the handicap parking stalls closer to the elevator of the building,which would require a slightly reduced size (8 1/2 ft. wide vs. 9 ft.wide). He asked if the Commission would be open to a variance to allow this change. He noted that 8.5 ft. stalls are quite common in Minneapolis. There being no further comment, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing. Commissioner Jeremy Johnson asked what the city requirement is for the width of parking stalls. Mr. Carlton stated the ordinance calls for 9 ft.wide stalls and there is no language to address compact handicap stalls. Mr. Carlton noted that since this is a PUD, a PUD amendment or a variance would be the vehicle to request a change from 9 ft. to 8.5 feet. Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito suggested allowing compact vehicle parking stalls, thereby giving adequate room for the 9 ft. handicap parking stalls. She agreed that it would make • Planning Commission Minutes Page 3 April 8,2014 sense to have the handicap parking stalls nearer the elevator,rather than in the location • shown. Motion by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Commission Jill Larson- Vito to recommend approval of the request by Duffy Development for Preliminary Plat approval of Coachman Ridge, Case No. P 14-02,with the following conditions: 1. Submittal of updated preliminary and final plats identifying document numbers for the access easement. 2. Submittal of a signed agreement between the applicant and MnDOT granting the permanent ingress/egress easement. 3. The subdivision drawings shall be submitted to the city in an electronic format (.dwg file) as required by City Ordinance and land use application. The motion carried 4-0. Motion by Commissioner Mike Keller and seconded by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson to recommend approval of the request by Duffy Development for Site Plan Approval for Coachman Ridge, a 52-unit apartment building, Case No. SP 14-02, with the following conditions: 1. As site plan approval is not a building permit,the applicant must apply for and receive approval of all required permits. • 2. Staff approval of updated landscape plans,grading plans, and stormwater calculations reflecting the addition of a fire access drive. 3. The property shall be platted, and recorded,prior to release of the building permit. The motion carried 4-0. 5.4 Request by City of Elk River for Land Use Amendment— Recommendation to Approve Draft Comprehensive Plan, Case No. LU 14-0I — Public hearing continued from March I I, 2014 Jeremy Barnhart presented the staff report. Mr. Barnhart explained that the draft Comprehensive Plan represented approximately 10 months of work completed by the community representatives. He reviewed highlights of the draft plan. Mr. Barnhart discussed the Parks and Recreation Commission desire to have the road connections shown though both Woodland Trials Park and Campy Cozy Park removed from the plan. Mr. Barnhart indicated that both these connections are in the City Transportation Plan and the connection through Woodland Trails Park is in the County's Transportation Plan. Mr. Barnhart also stated the Parks and Recreation Commission feel strongly that the 120 acres north of the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC) should be guided Open Space for the future expansion of YAC. Mr. Barnhart stated he understands that athletic space is in great need in the city,but staff feels this property is better suited for • industrial uses from an economic development standpoint. Planning Commission Minutes Page 4 April 8,2014 Commissioner Mike Keller stated he had concerns with the proposed future road • connection through Cretex's property. Mr. Barnhart explained that this dotted line on the map simply shows a need for additional study for a road connection in this area. Chair Johnson asked if the area north of the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC) fields was identified for future expansion of the athletic fields. Mr. Barnhart explained that YAC was originally constructed because it was "convenient" (the city owned the land). He stated it may be time to look at an alternative site that is more centrally located for the population it serves. Chair Johnson asked if the draft Comprehensive Plan addresses the future use of the landfill, once it is at capacity. Mr. Barnhart stated no. Chair Johnson opened the public hearing. Brian Olson,resident of Becker—stated he has been employed by Cretex since 1975. He expressed his appreciation for the city's efforts in its growth. He stated that Cretex has been a very active member of the Elk River community. Mr. Olson expressed his concern that the proposed road connection as shown would have a significant impact on their business. He explained that the northern portion that would be impacted significantly, as this area is vital as storage space, and is the location of their pre-stress batch plant and casting beds. He asked that the Commission consider a different route for an east-west connection. Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito stated that she lives in this area and asked if there really is a • need for this connection. Mr. Barnhart stated that the 2004 Comprehensive Plan identified a need for more east-west corridors,including this one. He explained that the 2004 Transportation Plan,which was adopted the same night as the 2004 Comprehensive Plan, showed a possible road connection in this area. He stated he did not know how the corridor would be routed or how it would be built,but that the goal is to provide as many linkages as possible that do not require going onto Highway 10. He stated that the long term goal is to provide more east-west roads in this area. Commissioner Mike Keller stated that a road through the Cretex property would essentially shut their business down. Mr. Barnhart explained that any road will impact any property and it is unknown when or what will trigger the need. Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito stated that she would not want Cretex to plan to leave the city for a road they might need. She stated she did not see what the road would be connecting and how it would be a benefit. Peter Beck, City Attorney, stated that if the city continues to develop, there may be a need for a road connection in this area and the city needs to plan for that potential. He stated that the chance of the city acquiring the property from Cretex is almost nil. He stated that having a dotted line on the land use map simply shows that a future connection may be needed in this area. He stated he felt it was important to plan for the future, since the city could change significantly in 20—30 years. He stated that if the city tried to acquire the • property adversely,it would not happen. Planning Commission Minutes Page 5 April 8,2014 Mr. Olson stated that Cretex was not aware this line was on the 2004 Transportation Plan • until recently. Mr. Barnhart stated that the goal of the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and this plan was to bring all the plans together into one document. There being no further public comment, Chair Johnson closed the public hearing. Chair Johnson stated that he felt the Comprehensive Plan is more of a vision and feels the dotted line showing the potential for a future road connection should stay in the plan. If it is not needed, fine,but if a connection is needed the line is there, and a viable option could be found at that time. Motion by Commissioner Jeremy Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Jill Larson-Vito to recommend approval of the Comprehensive Plan as drafted, Case No. LU 14-01. Motion carried 4-0. Mr. Barnhart clarified with the Commission that the recommendation in place is the CAC proposed plan as drafted. It does not reflect any of the changes requested by Cretex, the Parks and Recreation Commission, or the Dobel Farm property. Mr. Barnhart wanted to make sure the Commission was clear the motion to approve would be as drafted. Chair Johnson asked the Commission if they were clear on the motion 6. General Business —None • 7.1 City Council Liaison Update Councilmember Burandt updated the Commission on Council action regarding the Spectrum School application and the billboard ordinance amendment. 7.2 Planning Commissioner Resignation Mr. Barnhart stated that Commissioner Mike Keefe has resigned from the Planning Commission due to his move out of the City of Elk River. He noted there are now two vacancies on the Planning Commission. 8. Adjournment There being no further business, Commissioner Jeremy Johnson moved to adjourn the meeting. The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Minutes prepay b eb ie Huebner. Tina Allard City Clerk • Planning Commission Minutes Page 6 April 8,2014 Johnson, Chair, Planning Commission • III III