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10-28-2003 PC MIN . . . MEETING OF THE ELK RNER PLANNING COMMISSION HELD AT LIONS PARK CENTER TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28,2003 Members Present: Chair Pederson, Commissioners Anderson, Franz, Lemke, Offerman, Ropp and Stevens Members Absent: None Staff Present: Michele McPherson, Director of Planning; Scott Harlicker, Senior Planner; Chris Leeseberg, 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 at 6:30 p.m. by Chair Pederson. 2. Consider 10/28/03 Planning Commission Agenda COMMISSIONER FRANZ MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 28, 2003 PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA. COMMISSIONER LEMKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3.1. Consider 9/23/03 Planning Commission Minutes COMMISSIONER LEMKE MOVED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 23, 2003, MINUTES. COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 3.2. Consider 10/14/03 Planning Commission Minutes COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 14, 2003 MINUTES. COMMISSIONER LEMKE SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 4. Planning Commission Representative to Attend November City Council Meeting Commissioner Pederson will attend the November 17, 2003 City Council meeting. 5.1. Request by City of Elk River to Review Updated Comprehensive Plan - Public Hearing Rusty Fifield of Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. presented the Comprehensive Plan to the Planning Commission. Mr. Fifield provided an overview of the process that was followed in drafting the Comprehensive Plan update by staff and the 18-member Task Force. He explained that Hoisington-Koegler lead the update of the Comprehensive Plan and HR. Green provided their expertise in drafting the Transportation Plan. Mr. Fifield noted that five public meetings were held at which residents and property owners were given an opportunity to . . . Planning Commission Minutes October 28, 2003 Page 2 provide input. All of the City's boards and commissions have reviewed the draft plan and have recommended that the City Council approve the plan. At this time, Mr. Fifield reviewed the residential, commercial and industrial components of the plan. He then discussed the various initiatives including greenways, streets, and sewer system planning. Chair Pederson opened the public hearing. Dan Davis, 10249 213th Avenue NW, stated his opposition for removing the 10-acre minimum lot size north of County Road 33. He stated that the population of Elk River would triple, placing a burden on the existing infrastructure and causing crowding of both the schools and roadways. He stated Elk River has experienced tremendous growth and that he would like to see the pace slow down. He stated that the city should continue to maintain the larger lot size as a tool to regulate growth. Cliff Lundberg, 404 Jackson Avenue, proposed several minor changes to the Old Town section of the Comprehensive Plan, in order to reinforce the City's desire to preserve the identity of the core village area. He suggested that the following sentence be deleted on page 5.9: "The current Central Business District will contain uses consistent with the City's revitalization objectives." Also, he requested that the word "revitalization" be omitted in the following sentence: "The Old Town designation reflects the need and opportunity for revitalization, renovation and redevelopment." Mr. Lundberg asked that on page 3.6. the sentence under "Build connections", be modified to read, "A key to the revitalization of Old Town is to preserve its identity while creating connections within the area and to other parts of the community." There being no further public comment, Chair Pederson closed the pubic hearing. Commissioner Stevens expressed his support for Mr. Lundberg's language changees. Chair Pederson asked for clarification regarding the property on Twin Lakes Road, which is proposed for High Density Residential, but is located outside of the Urban Service District. Mr. Fifield stated that the property is in close proximity to the highway system and is adjacent to compatible land uses. The property was not included in the Urban Service District at this time because further study of the wastewater treatment system needs to be completed. Chair Pederson expressed concern that the plan is lacking additional commercially zoned properties. Mr. Fifield explained that the Task Force and staff discussed this issue, but it is unknown at this time whether the sewer system has the capacity to be extended further. He noted that the Elk River Business Park was looked at for possible commercial land use. Commissioner Offerman expressed his concerns that transportation issues along the major highway corridors have not been addressed. He stated that he could not support any changes until the City knows when and where MnDOT has planned future interchanges along Highway 169. Mr. Fifield stated that he agreed with Commissioner Offerman's concerns but felt that the proposed transportation plan addresses the land use issues. He stated that he did not feel adoption of the Comprehensive Plan should be delayed and that provisions will be made for transportation corridors and connections as development happens. . . . Planning Commission Minutes October 28, 2003 Page 3 O>tnmissioner Offerman stated that he felt the City needs to move the process for identifying interchange areas along before further development occurs. Ms. McPherson stated that the City Council has directed staff to meet with MnDOT and that a preliminary meeting has taken place. She noted that second meeting with higher-level officials of MnDOT has been delayed due to a death of one of their representatives. Ms. McPherson stated that MnDOT will need to complete the environmental assessment process before proceeding with plans for the interchanges and the assessments could take up to three years. She explained that the City does have the option of taking the lead in preserving properties for the highway interchanges, but that the City would then be in the position of denying applications because of interchange issues. Commissioner Offerman stated that he would like to see MnDOT's plan for Elk River. Commissioner Lemke stated that he concurred with Commissioner Offerman's concerns and felt that the City needs to do something to preserve the properties from development, which will be affected by future interchanges. Chair Pederson stated that he concurred with Ms. McPherson's comments. He stated that property owners have rights and that he did not feel the City can tell property owners that they cannot develop their property. Chair Pederson stated that he was in favor of changing the land use of the Elk River Business Park to commercial. He also stated he supported the 2 ~ acre minimum lot size north of County Road 33. Commissioner Anderson stated that he felt the change to high density for the property along Twin Lakes Road was in the best interest of the future of the City. He agreed that the City and County need to work quickly with MnDOT to resolve the transportation issues. Commissioner Anderson stated that the success of the downtown revitalization hinges on the residential stimulus. He stated that he was not opposed to the language changes suggested by Mr. Lundberg regarding the Old Town district. Commissioner Anderson stated that the majority of the landowners north of County Road 33 are in favor of the 2-~ acre minimum lot size. Chair Pederson stated that he felt the area proposed for High Density residential should remain rural residential. Mr. Fifield stated that the Commission could consider placing this property IS reserve. Commissioner Franz stated that he felt the proposed Plan addresses the concerns that have been expressed by property owners. He stated that he felt the City needs to move forward to implement the plan as quickly as possible. He stated that he supported Mr. Lundberg's comments. Mr. Fifield stated that he felt it was appropriate to include the change to High Density Residential for the property along Twin Lakes Road as proposed. He stated that the property cannot develop until it is known whether or not the sewer system has the capacity. Chair Pederson stated that he was uncomfortable changing the land use for this property when it is still unknown whether or not the commuter rail will be implemented. Ms. McPherson stated that the property will not be rezoned at this time; only the land use designation will be changed. Chair Pederson asked if the property taxes for this property would be impacted. Ms. McPherson stated that the County Assessor's office would need to answer that question. . . . Planning Commission Minutes October 28, 2003 Page 4 COMMISSIONER LEMKE MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH THE CHANGES PROPOSED BY CLIFFORD LUNDBERG ON PAGES 5.9. AND 3.6. COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE MOTION. Chair Pederson stated that he felt the Old Town should include redevelopment. COMMISSIONER LEMKE MOVED AMEND THE MOTION TO INCLUDE THE WORD "REDEVELOPMENT". COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE AMENDMENT. Mr. Fifield stated that the language for the Old Town has been revised to reflect the spirit preservation of the downtown. Discussion followed regarding the language changes proposed by Clifford Lundberg. Chair Pederson suggested that word "preservation" be included in the sentence on page 5.9. COMMISSIONER LEMKE WITHDREW THE MOTION. COMMISISONER LEMKE MOVED TO RECOMMEND APROVAL OF THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: 1. THE FIRST SENTENCE OF PARAGRAPH 3 UNDER OLD TOWN, PAGE 5.9. SHALL BE REVISED AS FOLLOWS: THE CITY'S REVITALIZATION OBJECTIVES FOR THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN. 2. PARAGRAPH 5 SHALL BE REVISED AS FOLLOWS: THE OLD TOWN DESIGNATION REFLECTS THE NEED AND OPPORTUNITY FOR REVITALIZATION, RENOVATION, REDEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION. COMMISSIONER FRANZ SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 5.2. Request by City of Elk River for an Ordinance Amendment to Section 30-1. Definitions, regarding Governmental Buildings and Facilities, Governmental Offices and Jails, Public Hearing - Case No. OA 03-07 Director of Planning Michele McPherson presented the staff report. Ms. McPherson reviewed the draft language clarifying the definitions of government buildings and facilities, and government offices. Chair Pederson opened the public hearing. There being no public comment, Chair Pederson closed the public hearing. . . . Planning Commission Minutes October 28, 2003 Page 5 COMMISSIONER OFFERMAN MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT ClARIFYING mE DEFINITIONS OF GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, CASE NO. OA 03-07 WIm mE FOLLOWING ADDITION: INSERT THE WORD "SHERBURNE COUNTY" BEFORE mE WORDS "COUNTY COURTROOM FUNCTIONS... " COMMISSIONER ANDERSON SECONDED THE MOTION. mE MOTION CARRIED 7-0. 6. Other Business 6.1. Update on October 20. 2003 City Council Meeting Commissioner Lemke provided an update on the October 20, 2003 City Council meetmg. 8. Adiournment There being no further business, COMMISSIONER ANDERSON MOVED TO ADJOURN mE MEETING. The meeting of the Elk River Planning Commission adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debbie Huebner Recording Secretary