09-25-2001 PC MIN
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MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER PLANNING COMMISSION
HELD AT ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 200 I
Members Present:
Chair Pederson, Commissioners Baker, Franz and Ropp
Commissioner Schuster arrived at 6:34 p.m.
Members Absent:
Commissioner Mesich
Staff Present:
Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Chris Leeseberg; Park
Planner/Planner; Debbie Huebner, Recording Secretary
1. Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission
was called to order 6:50 p.m. by Chair Pederson.
2. Consider 9/25/01 Planning Commission Agenda
COMMISSIONER FRANZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 25, 2001
PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER ROPP SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.1.
Consider 8/14/01 Planning Commission Minutes
COMMISSIONER FRANZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 14,2001
MINUTES. COMMISSIONER PEDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
3.2. Consider 8/28/01 Planning Commission Minutes
COMMISSIONER BAKER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 28,2001
MINUTES. COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
4. Planning Commission Representative to Attend October 15.2001 City Council Meeting
Commissioner Mesich will attend the October 15, 2001 City Council meeting.
5.1. Review Land Acquisition for Consistency with Comprehensive Plan
Director of Planning Michele McPherson explained that the Planning Commission is asked
to review the purchase of land adjacent to the library for consistency with the
Comprehensive Plan. Purchase of the land would provide space for a future library
expansion. A purchase agreement has been negotiated with the property owner, Mrs. Bailey,
for acquisition of her home under the terms of a life estate.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 25, 2001
Page 2
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Commissioner Baker expressed concern for any liability the City may have during the term
of the life estate.
Commissioner Franz asked if another satellite library was planned for Elk River. Ms.
McPherson stated that that would be decision made by the Great River Regional Library, but
that the issue could be discussed at a future workshop meeting.
COMMISSIONER BAKER MOVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE CITY
COUNCIL THAT THE PROPOSED LAND ACQUISITION FOR LIBRARY
PARKING IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.
COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 5-0.
5.2. Request by Peter Rohlf for Preliminary Plat Approval (Whipple Hill). Public Hearing Case
No. P 01-18
Staff report by Chris Leeseberg. The applicant requests preliminary plat approval for
Whipple Hill to subdivide 10.35 acres located in the southwest comer of the intersection of
County Road 35 and Pascal Street into 8 single family lots. Mr. Leeseberg reviewed the
current zoning, existing site conditions, layout of the lots, and the Park and Recreation
Commission recommendation for park dedication. Staff recommends approval of the
proposed plat with the 12 conditions listed in the staff report. Ms. McPherson noted that
the drawings in the Commissioner's packets reflect the changes recommended by City
Engineer Terry Maurer.
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Chair Pederson opened the public hearing.
Steve Caouette, 13776 192nd Avenue NW, expressed his concerns regarding additional
traffic. He asked that the developer be required to place a berm on Pascal Street similar to
what he is proposing along County Road 35. Mr. Caouette felt that irrigation of lawns
should be required.
Bob Sullentrop, representing John Oliver & Associates, explained that placement of a
berm along Pascal would interfere with the grading and septic system for Lot 1, and would
require all the lots in the plat to be redrawn.
There being no further public comment, Chair Pederson closed the public hearing.
Ms. McPherson stated that proposal meets the City's landscaping requirements, however, the
Commission could recommend that evergreens be used in place of the deciduous trees
shown on the east side of Lot 1.
Commissioner Franz asked if the pond on Lot 8 would be filled with water. Ms. McPherson
explained that the retention pond will only hold water on a temporary basis, since the site is
sandy and will drain well.
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Chair Pederson asked if the pond will be fenced. Ms. McPherson stated that it would not
require fencing. Chair Pederson asked if trees would be required on the berm along County
Road 35. Ms. McPherson stated that only vegetative grass is required to prevent erosion.
Chair Pederson felt that additional trees should be required on the berm and evergreens
placed on the east side of Lot 1.
Planning Commission Minutes
September 25, 2001
Page 3
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Commissioner Franz asked if the street superintendent had any concerns regarding plowing
the cul-de-sacs. Ms. McPherson stated that Phil Hals has reviewed the plat and had no
concerns.
Commissioner Ropp asked if the septic system for Lot 1 could be placed in another location.
Ms. McPherson explained that an alternative septic location needs to be provided for the lot
as well, and that the primary site was chosen because was the lowest point on the lot.
Placing a septic system higher than the lowest elevation of the home would require a lift
station.
Commissioner Franz stated he would support recommending additional trees on the berm.
Commissioner Schuster did not feel it was appropriate to require additional landscaping
beyond what was required in the ordinance.
COMMISSIONER BAKER MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
REQUEST BY PETER ROHLF FOR PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL OF
WHIPPLE HILL, CASE NO. P 01-18, WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
1. ALL COMMENTS OF THE CITY ENGINEER SHALL BE
ADDRESSED.
2. ALL COMMENTS OF SHERBURNE COUNTY SHALL BE
ADDRESSED.
. 3. THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS FROM LOT 1 TO PASCAL STREET.
4. THERE WILL BE NO ACCESS FROM ANY LOT TO COUNTY
ROAD 35
5. THE DEVELOPER SHALL ENTER INTO A DEVELOPER'S
AGREEMENT OUTLINING THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
THE DEVELOPMENT.
6. THAT THE MAILBOXES SHALL BE CLUSTERED.
7. A SEALCOA T FEE IN THE AMOUNT DETERMINED BY THE
CITY BE PAID PRIOR TO RELEASING THE PLAT FOR
RECORDING.
8. AN ENGINEERING ESCROW IN THE AMOUNT DETERMINED
BY THE CITY BE PAID PRIOR TO RELEASING THE PLAT FOR
RECORDING.
9. PARK DEDICATION FEES IN THE AMOUNT DETERMINED BY
THE CITY BE PAID PRIOR TO RELEASING THE PLAT FOR
RECORDING.
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Planning Commission Minutes
September 25, 2001
Page 4
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10. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT FEES IN THE AMOUNT
DETERMINED BY THE CITY BE PAID PRIOR TO RELEASING
THE PLAT FOR RECORDING.
11. THE DEVELOPER SHALL PROVIDE AT LETTER OF CREDIT FOR
100% OF THE COST OF THE IMPROVEMENTS.
12. A WARRANTY BOND SHALL BE PROVIDED AFTER THE
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ACCEPTED BY THE CITY AND SHALL BE
HELD FOR ONE YEAR.
COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE MOTION.
COMMISSIONER FRANZ MOVED TO AMEND THE MOTION TO ADD THE
FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
13. THE DECIDUOUS TREES SHOWN ON LOT 1 IN THE LANDSCAPING
PLAN BE REPLACED WITH EVERGREENS.
14. ADDITIONAL TREES BE PLANTED ON THE BERM ALONG COUNTY
ROAD 35.
COMMISSIONER BAKER OPPOSED THE AMENDMENT.
5.3.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION CARRIED 3-2. Chair Pederson and Commissioner Franz
opposed.
Request by City of Elk River to Amend the City of Elk River Zoning Ordinance Section
904.08.1B to add lot area and width standards for natural environment lakes. Public Hearing
- Case No. OA 01-10
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Staff report by Michele McPherson. The Commission is asked to consider a "housekeeping"
ordinance amendment to provide lot area and lot width standards for lots adjacent to natural
environment lakes. She noted that the standards were inadvertently omitted when the
shoreland ordinance was adopted.
Chair Pederson opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Pederson
closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Franz asked for clarification on the terms "riparian" and "non-riparian". Ms.
McPherson explained that riparian refers to property next to the water and non-riparian
property is separated by land from the water.
COMMISSIONER BAKER MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE
AMENDED LANGUAGE TO PROVIDE LOT AREA AND LOT WIDTH
STANDARDS FOR NON-RIPARIAN LOTS ADJACENT TO NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT LAKES, CASE NO. OA 01-10. COMMISSIONER FRANZ
SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
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Planning Commission Minutes
September 25, 2001
Page 5
6.1.
Update on 9/17/01 City Council Meeting
Commissioner Franz provided an update on the September 17,2001 City Council meeting.
8. Adiournment
There being no further business, COMMISSIONER FRANZ MOVED TO ADJOURN
THE MEETING. COMMISSIONER BAKER SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0.
The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Utii'd' <<:;:~~
Debbie Huebner
Recording Secretary