02-14-2013 Planning Comm. Minutes

Home Browse Search

MINUTES PLANNING COMMISSION FEBRUARY 14, 2013 that he does not favor the Brausen option. The Administrator suggested that there are other options. One may be to retain the 33 foot road easement with the understanding that the three property owners to the east would have to dedicate an additional 17 feet at the time they want to develop their properties. Another would be to vacate the western 8 feet of the road easement leaving 25 feet with the understanding that the three property owners to the east would have to dedicate an additional 25 feet when they are ready to develop. Another would be for the City to purchase the developable property from the owners to the east, or at a minimum obtain an option to purchase. In that way the property could be held until such time as all three property owners were willing to develop. The Administrator indicated that there are still a lot of details to be worked out, and noted that one key issue is the vacation of the 33 foot road easement. He noted that the City Council has called for the public hearing to consider the vacation. That hearing will be held at the March 27th Council meeting. The Administrator noted that at the April 10th meeting, the Council will also consider expansion of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District to incorporate the two additional properties that are included in the Pinetree Ponds plat. The Administrator stated that in the meantime it would be the goal of the City to work with all the impacted property owners to try to come up with the best solution possible. Knudsen pointed out that the action before the Commission is the Pinetree Ponds Preliminary Plat. He noted that the Brausen concept plan is not an action item for the Commission nor is the issue of whether or not to vacate the 33 foot road easement. The Administrator suggested that there were two options for the Commission this evening. The first would be to conditionally approve the Pinetree Ponds Preliminary Plat subject to the recommendations of the City Planner and City Engineer which include the condition of vacation of the 33 foot road easement. The second would be to table action on the Preliminary Plat with staff to continue to work on the specific details. Howe indicated that his preference is that the Commission act on the plat as proposed. He noted that the plat meets the City Code requirements and that he was not asking for any variances. Howe also pointed out that the plat provides for a future road connection so that the properties to the east can develop at some time in the future. Jan Bilek, 2925 LaBore Road, reported that she lives adjacent to the 33 foot road easement. Bilek indicated that her concern with the proposed development is environmental in nature given the number of tree that are proposed to come down. Bilek stated that according to the City Code a development must leave 30% of the tree canopy, and Bilek indicated that this is not the proposal. She noted there is a great deal of wildlife in the area and removal of the trees will negatively impact their habitat. Bilek -7-